What occurs when a hot spot on an image map is clicked?

When a hot spot on an image map is clicked, the file associated with the URL reference loads. An image map allows specific areas of the image to function as links, often directing users to different resources or pages based on the section they interact with. Each hot spot is defined by coordinates on the image and is mapped to a particular URL. When a user clicks on that area, the browser interprets the click as a navigation request to the associated URL, effectively loading the linked file or page. This behavior is fundamental to how image maps are designed to enhance the navigational aspects of web development by creating interactive and visually engaging links on images.