1. A method performed by a computer system for cross-application encoding of geographical location information, comprising: receiving a first document containing information relating to a geographical area; displaying on a computer screen an image representing the geographical area, the displaying performed by a first application; receiving input from a user identifying a geographical location that is located in the geographical area; encoding the identified geographic location to create an encoded link; and causing the encoded link to be added to a second document such that when the encoded link is selected, the selection causes the first application to display the geographical area and identify the geographical location, the second document associated with a second application.