The world of Full Metal Alchemist is much the same from the anime and from the manga. The most used country throughout the entire series of the anime and manga is Amestris.

Amestris is where the story for the anime and manga takes place. The country is ruled by martial law. Amestris purposes for using alchemy is mainly used for military purposes. The culture is most likely european within Amestris. Locations such as Mount Fuji are found around here, and Mount Fuji itself is found in the south.

Drachma is found north of Amestris. This country is said to be a hostile country which is seperated from Amestris by The Briggs Mountains. Therefore the idea of these two countries starting a war with each other much of a hassle, though not impossible.

Aerugo is found south of Amestris. This country is less referred to in the anime and manga.

Creta is found west of Amestris. This country is referred to in the manga as Crete and not Creta,.

Xing is found to the far east of Amestris. This country is chinese culture based. Xing uses alchemy, but not for the same reasons as Amestris, Xing uses alchemy more for research than for military.

Ishbal is also located to the east of Amestris. Ishbar was annexed by Amestris during the Ishbar civil war. This is where the massacre took place. The culture base in Ishbal as the name may give away is most likely more middle eastern or possibly Indian or Persian. Ishbal does not have alchemy as they do not allow the use of it, which may be a reason why there was a civil war and a massacre here.