Intermediate HTML Tutorial 1.6 Image Maps Image Maps are a good tool when you wish to use a graphical navigation approach. If you have a chart, or a map, or wish to use a graphical toolbar, then image maps are your solution. Be careful not to overuse Image Maps, or to use an image map when it is not really necessary.
Maps are usually larger graphics, thus they take longer to download.
Also, some users might have images turned off, or may be using a text browser. It is a good idea to have alternate text links for those users who don't display graphics. There are two types of Image Maps, Client Side and Server Side. With client site image maps, the coordinates are defined in the HTML code. With server side image maps, the coordinates are stored in a text file on the web server.