Using leaked coordinate grids, trailer analysis, and mathematical mapping models, geographic experts have reconstructed the scale of the state of Leonida. Here is how it compares to Southern San Andreas.
GTA 6 Leonida map size comparison to Los Santos explained
The core difference between the two maps lies in their shape and geographical distribution. Los Santos in GTA 5 is a singular large island surrounded by deep ocean, with the urban city cluster concentrated at the very bottom and a massive empty mountain range filling the north. Leonida, on the other hand, is a sprawling peninsula modeled after Florida, bordered by shallow keys, swamplands, lakes, and multiple independent urban and rural cities.
This layout means that players will experience a far wider variety of environments, making the map feel significantly larger than a simple surface area comparison suggests.
Overall Landmass Scale: 2.5x Bigger than San Andreas
According to spatial calculations based on the leaks, Leonida's overall map area spans roughly 135 square kilometers of landmass, compared to Los Santos's 49 square kilometers. This translates to an overall scale increase of approximately 2.5 times.
- Total Sea/Land Ratio: While GTA 5 has massive dead ocean borders, GTA 6 utilizes shallow waterways, keys, and bays that are fully navigable and populated with activities, increasing the active gameplay area.
- Coordinate Limits: Leaked developer coordinates show location data points spanning over twice the distance from north to south compared to the limits of San Andreas.
Due to the peninsula structure, traveling by watercraft in GTA 6 is a primary mode of transit rather than a gimmick. Boats and airboats will be critical for navigating the Everglades and the Keys.
The Three Major Hubs: Vice City, Port Gellhorn, and the Keys
Instead of one big city, Leonida features three major population hubs, each separated by vast regions of wilderness:
- Vice City Metro: A massive urban area including Vice Beach, Starfish Island, and the downtown financial district, estimated to be roughly 1.8x the size of the Los Santos city center.
- Port Gellhorn: A secondary industrial and racing hub located on the western coast, featuring its own distinct gangs, economy, and side activities.
- The Leonida Keys: A long chain of islands in the south connected by overseas highways, modeled after the Florida Keys.
Terrain Density: Enterable Buildings and Wilderness
Scale is meaningless without density. GTA 6 addresses the "empty spaces" criticism of GTA 5 by drastically increasing the number of enterable buildings. Leaks indicate that up to 30% of commercial buildings, restaurants, pawn shops, and residential apartments will have fully rendered interiors. In addition, the wilderness of Leonida—specifically the Grassrivers (Everglades)—is filled with wildlife, dynamic encounters, and hidden drug-running runways, making exploration rewarding.