What is the main setting in the novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West?

The story takes place in the fictional land of Oz. Oz shares many similarities to the reader's own world, but also shows remarkable differences. Many different races live in Oz, such as Dwarves, Munchkinlanders, Vinkus and Gillikinese. Oz is made up of different areas, such as Quadling Country and Munchkinland. Many editions of the novel include a detailed map of the land.

One could safely assume the period to be near the original publishing date of the novel it was based on. In fact, Dorothy refers to the current President of the United States as being Theodore Roosevelt.

Elphaba manages to travel to each of the main divisions within Oz throughout the novel. Though born in Munchkinland, she spends much of her childhood in Quadling Country before attending college in Gillikin. After some disillusionment with college life, she runs away to live alone in Emerald City, the capital. Finally, after the murder of her lover, Elphaba travels to Vinkus, where she lives the remainder of her life.