What is the setting of A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin?

The setting of the novel is primarily the Seven Kingdoms on the continent of Westeros. The action throughout the novel happens at several castles, forts, and other locations throughout the land. The Seven Kingdoms consist of seven regions on Westeros and is bounded to the north by the Wall, where the Night's Watch patrol. Above the wall are the wilding lands. Some of the principal regions of the Seven Kingdoms are the North, the Iron Islands, and Dorne. Several free city-states are also featured, including Braavos, Pentos, and Qarth, and are located across the sea on another continent. Most of the events take place on the main continent, except for those concerning Daenerys, who is on the other continent.

The world in which the Seven Kingdoms are located seems similar to a medieval society on Earth. The characters do not have modern conveniences, and jousts and tournaments are in abundance. The novel mostly concerns the upper crust of society, primarily following the lives of nobles and their children; therefore, most of the novel takes place in castles and the homes of the claimant kings. The peasants and their homes are not represented, although many of the main characters travel throughout the novel, visiting inns and brothels. The world is very complex, with a large amount of locations and characters taking part in the overarching events, even if it is only a small part.