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HTML image maps are a powerful tool that allows you to create interactive images on your website. With image maps, you can define specific areas within an image and assign different actions or links to each area. This enables users to click on different parts of the image and be redirected to different pages or perform specific actions. In this article, we will explore the basics of HTML image maps and how you can use them to enhance your website.

To create an image map, you will need an image that you want to make interactive. The image can be in any format, such as JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Once you have your image ready, you can start defining the areas that you want to make clickable. These areas can be any shape, including rectangles, circles, or polygons.

To define an area within the image, you will use the `

` tag. Inside the `

` tag, you will use the `

` tag to define the shape, size, and location of the clickable area. Each `

` tag will have attributes such as `shape`, `coords`, and `href`. The `shape` attribute specifies the shape of the area, which can be “rect” for rectangle, “circle” for circle, or “poly” for polygon. The `coords` attribute specifies the coordinates of the area, and the `href` attribute specifies the link or action to be performed when the area is clicked.

Here is an example of how you can create an HTML image map:

“`

In the above example, we have an image called “example.jpg” and we have defined three clickable areas within the image. The first area is a rectangle with coordinates (0,0,100,100) and it will redirect the user to “page1.html” when clicked. The second area is a circle with coordinates (150,150,50) and it will redirect the user to “page2.html”. The third area is a polygon with coordinates (200,200,250,250,200,300) and it will redirect the user to “page3.html”.

Once you have defined your image map, you need to associate it with the image using the `usemap` attribute. In the example above, we have used the `usemap=”#exampleMap”` attribute to link the image map with the image.

It’s important to note that image maps can also be used with image links. Instead of using the `href` attribute, you can use the `href` attribute within the `

` tag to specify the link destination. This allows you to create more visually appealing and interactive image links on your website.

In conclusion, HTML image maps are a great way to make your images interactive and engage your website visitors. By defining clickable areas within an image, you can create unique and engaging user experiences. Whether you want to create image links or perform specific actions when an area is clicked, image maps provide a versatile solution. So go ahead and give it a try on your website, and watch your images come to life with interactivity!