In this Server-Side image mapping example, a very simple diagram is used to help the user understand what to expect on clicking the mouse over part of the diagram.
The basic built in shapes are used and on the diagram appear in different colors. The diagram is 200 pixels wide by 200 pixels high. The contents of the map file for this example are shown below:

# Imagemap for Example 1. Smythies 2010.09.26

default default_1.html
circle circle_1.html 50,50 100,50
rect rect_1.html 100,0 199,50
poly poly_1.html 199,199 150,199 100,150 100,100 150,100 150,150 199,150 199,199

The HTML code for this example is:

<A HREF="./example1.map"><IMG SRC="./map_test_1.png" ISMAP></A>

As you move the mouse over the diagram notice the coordinates, at the end of the map URL, on the status line change. Once you "click", the coordinates are sent to the server which will decide which web page to return based on the map file.
If the imagemap (or imap) module is not enabled, then (it seems) the server returns the map file as a text file.
Note that the use of Server-Side image mapping is NOT recommened because of difficulties with alt text and other accessability options. Server-Side image maps have largely been replaced by Client-Side image maps.
Note that as of Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9, there are problems with server side image maps, depending on status tool bar settings.



See also Client-Side image mapping example 1 or Client-Side image mapping example 2 or this page's parent page.