What is the setting of Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by H. P. Lovecraft?

The stories in the collection take place in a variety of settings, though many of the stories share common elements. The typical story in the collection is set in a small urban area surrounded for many, many miles by rural country that is lightly settled. Often, there is a nearby unexplored or largely unknown wilderness areas. A primary feature of any central dwelling featured in a story is usually a large and shadowy basement area. Most structures are ancient, in somewhat poor repair, and sprawling. They are frequently infested with rats, often have hidden compartments or corridors, and generally have a long and colorful history. They are commonly of unusual construction, such as a house without windows or a room with detailed mosaics on the floors and walls. The regions surrounding the central settings are frequently populated by peoples of indeterminate race.