Gloucester is, with Rockport, the nub of land that sticks out into the ocean (Cape Ann) north of Salem but south of Newburyport. If you think of Massachusetts as a rhino-like beast facing right, Gloucester is the heavy brow ridge of the beast. If you mostly know highways, Gloucester is the end of rt 128 (after 95 and 128 diverge north of boston).

Glad you like the posts! I think the next one is more interesting than this one. :)