The story of "The Little Mermaid" primarily takes place in an underwater kingdom called Atlantica, which is located under the Atlantic Ocean. This kingdom is where the mermaid protagonist and her family live

. The story also involves the surface world, including the prince's palace and nearby land areas, where key events such as the prince's shipwreck and the mermaid's transformation occur

. Regarding the geographical setting, the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen is believed to be set in Denmark, Andersen's homeland, and there is even a famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen

. However, the Disney animated film version suggests a more Mediterranean setting for the prince's castle and the surrounding land, with features like palm trees, flamingos, and architecture reminiscent of southern Europe or the Mediterranean region

. This has led to some debate, but the underwater kingdom of Atlantica remains central to the story's setting. In summary:

• Underwater kingdom of Atlantica (under the Atlantic Ocean) for the mermaid's home

• Surface world including the prince's palace and nearby land, depicted with Mediterranean-style elements in Disney's version

• Original story linked to Denmark, Andersen's home country

The story is set in the mid-1800s, consistent with the time when Andersen wrote the original fairy tale