function showCountries(){
$('LeftMenu').show();
}

function hideCountries(){
$('LeftMenu').hide();
}

function popupPage(sUrl){

var sFeatures = "toolbar=0,status=0,width=650,height=500";
window.open(sUrl, "ShowInfo", sFeatures);
}

function switchMap(oArea){
if(oArea != undefined){
		var sLang = $(oArea).id.split('_')[1];
		$('map').src = 'data/Assets/maps/map_' + sLang + '.gif';
                $$('a.menu_'+sLang).invoke('addClassName', 'menu_bold');
	}
	else{
		$('map').src = 'data/Assets/img/objects/1x1.gif';
                $$('a.menu_bold').invoke('removeClassName', 'menu_bold');
	}
}