Leonida

The State of Leonida is a fictional state in the United States of America, set to debut in Grand Theft Auto VI. It serves as the primary setting of the game and is home to the major metropolis of Vice City. Leonida is the HD Universe counterpart to Florida¹, the state in which Vice City was located in the 3D Universe titles.

Description

The State of Leonida is a fictionalized take on the real-world state of Florida. It is portrayed as a region with a warm, sunny climate and is world-renowned for its beach resorts, amusement parks, and vibrant nautical recreation. The landscape combines bustling urban centers, popular beaches such as Vice Beach, and stretches of natural parkland.

Leonida also carries the series' trademark satirical edge, most notably through the in-game "Leonida Man" phenomenon, a parody of the "Florida Man" meme, which highlights bizarre and absurd news stories from the state. The government of Leonida includes agencies such as the Leonida Department of Corrections, responsible for managing the prison system and community service programs.

Development and Influence

Leonida is primarily inspired by the U.S. state of Florida, with additional influences drawn from neighboring Georgia². The name "Leonida" is believed to reference Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish conquistador credited with leading the first European expedition to Florida³. The state's satirical portrayal is further evident through details such as the Leonida Department of Corrections, modeled after Florida's own corrections department, and the "Leonida Man" meme, which is a parody of the infamous "Florida Man" trope.

Real-world Florida locations have shaped Leonida's design and atmosphere. Cities like Tampa provided both direct inspiration⁴ and filming backdrops for promotional material, including a project by ITZ Studios that temporarily transformed downtown Tampa into a high-octane cinematic setting. Elements of Georgia's geography are also reflected in Leonida, most notably with the inclusion of Mount Kalaga National Park and a prison facility resembling the Augusta State Medical Prison⁵.

Geography and Environment

Leonida is characterized by a warm, subtropical climate and a varied landscape. Its most recognizable feature is its extensive coastline, lined with beaches such as Vice Beach, which serve as both recreational hubs and cultural landmarks. The state encompasses a mix of dense urban centers like Vice City, smaller suburban communities, and rural settlements that highlight its contrast between metropolitan life and quieter surroundings.

Beyond its coastal areas, natural landmarks such as Mount Kalaga National Park, suggest that its geography extends beyond the flat terrain typically associated with Florida. The state also includes maritime infrastructure, with its port described as the busiest in the world, underscoring its importance as a hub of trade and commerce within the game's setting.

Districts / Landmarks / Points of Interest

Known Counties

• Ambrosia County
• Kelly County
• Leonard County
• Mariana County
• Vice-Dale County

Major Cities and Towns

• Ambrosia
• Hamlet
• Key Lento
• Port Gellhorn
• Vice City
• Vice Beach
• Waning Sands
• Watson Bay
• Yorktown

Population and Residents

The population of Leonida is portrayed as diverse, eccentric, and often outrageous, reflecting the state's satirical take on its real-world counterpart.

Several notable characters are associated with Leonida:

• Lucia: Introduced as an inmate within the Leonida Department of Corrections, later shown performing community service under state supervision.
• Jason: Seen visiting a Leonida Department of Corrections facility to inquire about Lucia.
• Stefanie: A social worker employed by the Leonida Department of Corrections.
• Unnamed Leonida Criminal: A heavily tattooed individual whose brief appearance in the first trailer drew comparisons to the real-life "Florida Joker".

Businesses and Services

Government and Law Enforcement

• Leonida Department of Corrections
• Kelly County Police Department
• Vice City Police Department
• Vice-Dale Police Department

Media

• Mega Noticias
• Weazel News

Gallery

Screenshots

Videos / Trailers

Trivia

• The official seal of the State of Leonida, modeled after the real-life Seal of Florida⁶, satirically depicts a person being eaten by an alligator. The State of Leonida seal is also used by Vice-Dale Police Department.
• The state's name is a retcon for the HD Universe. In Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V, Florida was identified as the state containing Vice City. With the introduction of Leonida in Grand Theft Auto VI, Florida is now exclusive to the 3D Universe.
• This renaming is one of three major retcons in the series, alongside the shift from "Hollywood" to Vinewood actors between Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and the reimagining of San Andreas from a city in the original Grand Theft Auto into a state in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
• The "Leonida Man" meme parodies the real-world "Florida Man" phenomenon⁷ and is featured through satirical coverage by outlets such as Weazel News.