function preLoadImages() {
	
	empty = new Image(792, 355);
	empty.src = '/graphics/empty_map.gif';
	
	img1 = new Image(792,355);
	img1.src = '/graphics/map_africa.gif';
	
	img2 = new Image(792,355);
	img2.src = '/graphics/map_africa_.gif';
	
	img3 = new Image(792,355);
	img3.src = '/graphics/map_southamerica.gif';
	
	img4 = new Image(792,355);
	img4.src = '/graphics/map_southamerica_.gif'
	
	img5 = new Image(792,355);
	img5.src = '/graphics/map_northandcentralamerica.gif';
	
	img6 = new Image(792,355);
	img6.src = '/graphics/map_northandcentralamerica_.gif';
	
	img7 = new Image(792,355);
	img7.src = '/graphics/map_europe.gif';
	
	img8 = new Image(792,355);
	img8.src = '/graphics/map_europe_.gif';
	
	img9 = new Image(792,355);
	img9.src = '/graphics/map_asia.gif';
	
	img10 = new Image(792,355);
	img10.src = '/graphics/map_asia_.gif';
	
	img11 = new Image(792,355);
	img11.src = '/graphics/map_australia.gif'
	
	img11 = new Image(792,355);
	img11.src = '/graphics/map_australia_.gif'
}