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Definition: imagemap


A single graphic image on a Web page that is divided into different areas, each of which provides a link to another Web page. Imagemaps are used for navigation bars at the top of Web pages as well as a way to divide any topic into subtopics. It is often used for geographic maps, enabling the user to click on a state to obtain demographics, store locations or other information pertaining to the area.

Server or Client Processing
Within each element, a rectangular area is predefined as the "hotspot." When the imagemap is clicked, the coordinates of the pointer, relative to these hotspots, may be sent to the server for processing, or HTML code within the Web page may process the click. See navigation bar.




An Image Map
Imagemaps are abundant on the Web, especially during elections. When a state was clicked on this electoral map from The New York Times online, the margin of victory in the last seven presidential elections was displayed.