An alternative to a n image map is to use layers instead.
Image maps use usemap and coordinates, but you could use a div with a background-image of USA and position: relative and then use images of the states inside it woith position: absolute. Use transparent gifs for the states as they will not have rectangular sides.
See item 2b on this page http://www.wickham43.supanet.com/tut...imagemaps.html
Although the title of the page is image maps, item 2b isn't an image map but does the same thing.
Code downloaded to my PC will be deleted in due course.
WIN7; IE9, Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Safari for Windows; screen resolution usually 1366*768.
Also IE6 on W98 with 800*600 and IE8 on Vista 1440*900.