Salem is a historic coastal city located in Essex County, Massachusetts, within the United States. Situated on the North Shore of Greater Boston, the city has been continuously settled by Europeans since 1626, beginning with the arrival of English colonists.
Historically, Salem served as one of the most significant seaports for trading commodities during early American history. Additionally, prior to the dissolution of county governments in Massachusetts in 1999, the city functioned as one of two county seats for Essex County, alongside Lawrence.