[Last Updated: February 2026]
[This article is updated regularly as new info drops. Bookmark it.]
The GTA 6 map is shaping up to be Rockstar’s most ambitious open world ever. Set across the state of Leonida — Rockstar’s fictional take on Florida — the map stretches from the neon-lit streets of Vice City through swampy Everglades-inspired wetlands, tropical island keys, and rural Southern towns. Community analysis of the trailers suggests it’s nearly twice the size of GTA V’s map, with significantly more density and variety.
Let’s break down every confirmed location and what we know about the scale of this world.
The State of Leonida: Rockstar’s Florida
✅ CONFIRMED: GTA 6 is set in the fictional state of Leonida, Rockstar’s interpretation of Florida.
Unlike GTA V, which was primarily set in one city (Los Santos) with surrounding countryside, GTA 6 appears to encompass an entire state. Leonida features diverse biomes and environments that mirror Florida’s geographic variety:
- Urban metropolis (Vice City = Miami/Miami Beach)
- Swamplands and wetlands (Grassrivers = The Everglades)
- Tropical island chains (Leonida Keys = Florida Keys)
- Port cities and industrial areas (Port Gellhorn)
- Rural towns and countryside
- Beach resort areas
- Mountains (Mount Kalaga)
This is a fundamental shift in Rockstar’s open-world design. Rather than one dense city surrounded by wilderness (GTA V) or a vast wilderness with scattered towns (RDR2), GTA 6 blends urban and rural environments across an entire state.
Vice City: The Heart of the Map
✅ CONFIRMED: Vice City returns as the primary urban center, reimagined for the modern era.
If you played the 2002 original, forget everything you remember. This Vice City is built from the ground up for current-gen hardware. The trailers show:
- Ocean Beach and South Beach: Neon-lit nightlife districts with art deco architecture, beachfront clubs, and dense pedestrian activity
- Downtown Vice City: A modern skyline with towering skyscrapers, construction cranes (suggesting a city mid-development boom), and financial district
- Little Havana / Little Haiti equivalents: Culturally distinct neighborhoods with unique architecture and atmosphere
- Port and industrial areas: Shipping containers, warehouses, and working docks
- Residential suburbs: Gated communities, tract housing, and mansion districts
The level of detail is staggering. Trailer footage shows individual storefronts with unique signage, pedestrians using phones and interacting with each other, and real-time weather effects that transform the city’s atmosphere.
Confirmed Locations in Leonida
Based on both trailers and Rockstar’s official screenshots, the following locations have been identified:
Vice City (Urban Core)
The main metropolitan area, equivalent to Miami. Multiple distinct neighborhoods including beach districts, downtown, and suburban areas. This is where the bulk of story missions are expected to take place.
Grassrivers (The Everglades)
✅ CONFIRMED: A vast swamp region inspired by the Everglades.
The Grassrivers appear in both trailers, showcasing murky waterways, dense vegetation, and wildlife including alligators. This area likely serves as a contrast to Vice City’s urban chaos — a lawless wilderness where illegal operations can hide. The environment includes:
- Airboat-accessible waterways
- Isolated shacks and compounds
- Dense mangrove forests
- Wildlife encounters (alligators confirmed in trailers)
Leonida Keys (Florida Keys)
✅ CONFIRMED: A chain of tropical islands connected by bridges.
The Leonida Keys appear to include multiple islands, including what fans have identified as “Key Lento.” Jason’s starting apartment is reportedly located in this area. The Keys offer:
- Laid-back beach town atmosphere
- Boat-accessible surrounding waters
- Bridge connections to the mainland
- Resort and tourist areas
Port Gellhorn
✅ CONFIRMED: An industrial port area, likely inspired by Port Everglades or Tampa Bay.
Visible in trailer footage as a major shipping and industrial zone. Could serve as a hub for smuggling-related missions.
Ambrosia
✅ CONFIRMED: A smaller town or community within Leonida. Details remain limited, but it appears in Rockstar’s official map screenshots.
Mount Kalaga
✅ CONFIRMED: A mountainous/elevated area, unusual for Florida-inspired terrain but consistent with Rockstar’s tendency to include varied topography for gameplay variety.
Map Size: GTA 6 vs GTA 5 vs RDR2
How big is the GTA 6 map compared to previous Rockstar games? Here’s what we know:
| Game | Estimated Map Size | Terrain Type |
|---|---|---|
| GTA V | ~75 km² (29 mi²) | City + countryside + desert |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | ~75 km² (29 mi²) | Wilderness + small towns |
| GTA 6 (estimated) | ~125 km² (48 mi²) | City + swamps + keys + rural |
Fan reconstructions based on trailer landmarks and geographical analysis estimate GTA 6’s map at approximately 125 km² — roughly 67% larger than GTA V. But raw size only tells part of the story.
It’s Not Just Bigger — It’s Denser
What makes GTA 6’s map truly next-gen isn’t just the acreage — it’s the density. GTA V’s map was large, but much of Blaine County felt sparse. GTA 6’s Leonida appears packed with content across every region:
- Vice City alone appears comparable in size to GTA V’s entire Los Santos
- Interior spaces appear far more numerous — trailers show enterable restaurants, gyms, apartments, and clubs
- NPC density in Vice City appears dramatically higher than GTA V’s pedestrian counts
- Each region (swamps, keys, city, rural) has its own distinct ecosystem and activities
Dynamic Weather and Environmental Systems
Florida’s weather is legendary, and Rockstar appears to be using it as a core feature. Trailers show:
- Hurricanes/tropical storms: Extreme wind effects, debris, flooding
- Thunderstorms: Lightning, torrential rain, reduced visibility
- Humid heat haze: Visible heat shimmer effects in sunny weather
- Sunrise/sunset cycles: Dramatic sky color changes that reflect off buildings and water
These weather systems likely aren’t just cosmetic — they’ll affect gameplay. Storms could impact driving, visibility, and NPC behavior. Rockstar pioneered dynamic weather in RDR2, and GTA 6 will push it further.
Water and Underwater Exploration
With Florida-inspired geography, water is everywhere in GTA 6. The map features:
- Oceanfront beaches spanning Vice City’s coast
- Intercoastal waterways
- Swamp rivers and channels in Grassrivers
- Open ocean between the Keys and mainland
GTA V featured extensive underwater exploration with submarines and scuba gear. Given the oceanic setting of Leonida, expect underwater activities to be even more prominent in GTA 6 — potentially including coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater caves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the GTA 6 map compared to GTA 5?
Community estimates place the GTA 6 map at approximately 125 km², about 67% larger than GTA V’s ~75 km² map. More importantly, it’s significantly denser, with more interiors and environmental variety.
Is the GTA 6 map bigger than RDR2?
Yes. GTA 6’s map is estimated to be larger than RDR2’s map, and it features far more urban density. RDR2’s map was vast but largely wilderness. GTA 6 combines dense city environments with rural areas.
Can you explore the entire state of Leonida from the start?
This hasn’t been confirmed. GTA V gave players access to the full map from the beginning. GTA 6 may do the same, or it could gradually unlock areas as the story progresses (similar to RDR2’s approach).
Are there any islands you can only reach by boat or plane?
The Leonida Keys are connected by bridges, but there appear to be smaller islands only accessible by boat or aircraft. The surrounding ocean likely contains additional discoverable locations.
Will the map expand with DLC or online content?
Rockstar added new interior spaces and properties to GTA Online over the years. The same pattern is likely for GTA 6’s online mode, potentially adding new islands, neighborhoods, or interiors post-launch.
Is there snow or cold weather in GTA 6?
Florida doesn’t have snow, and Leonida likely won’t either (except possibly as a special seasonal event in online mode, similar to GTA Online’s holiday snow events). Mount Kalaga could potentially see cooler weather, but tropical climate will dominate.
