function preload_image(_image) {
	var image = new Image;
	image.src = _image;
}

function change_image(region) {
	var ShowItem = document.getElementById("area_image");
	var LinkItem = document.getElementById("countryid_" + region);
	ShowItem.style.backgroundImage = 'url(images/map_' + region + '.gif)';
	LinkItem.style.color = "#FE6601";
	LinkItem.style.textDecoration = "underline";
	return true;
}

function hide_image(region) {
	var ShowItem = document.getElementById("area_image");
	var LinkItem = document.getElementById("countryid_" + region);
	ShowItem.style.backgroundImage = 'url(images/none.gif)';
	LinkItem.style.color = "#336699";
	LinkItem.style.textDecoration = "none";

	return true;
}