3.14.13. The area element

consider to rephrase this sentence for clarity:

3.14.13. The area element

-The area element represents either a hyperlink with some text and a
corresponding area on an image map, or a dead area on an image map.

+The area element defines a hyperlink in a client-side image map area
.. An area element
without coords attribute has a default state and links to the entire
area of an image map.

Marco