Mariana County

Overview

Mariana County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the State of Leonida in Grand Theft Auto VI. The county stretches from the mainland wetlands down through the island chain of the Leonida Keys, giving it some of the most varied terrain in the entire state. Its landscape ranges from flooded sawgrass plains and dense mangrove forests to tropical island communities connected by causeways.

Mariana County was first revealed in Trailer 2, where its name appears on an Interstate 404 directional sign in the Port Gellhorn area, listed alongside Vice-Dale County. The sign points eastward, indicating that Mariana County lies to the south and west of the main Vice City metropolitan area.

Geography and Regions

Mariana County is defined by two major sub-regions that together account for most of its landmass and character.

The Grassrivers

The Grassrivers occupy the northern and central sections of Mariana County. This vast expanse of flooded grasslands, mangrove channels, and muddy waterways serves as Leonida's equivalent of the real-world Florida Everglades. The region is home to dangerous wildlife including alligators, snakes, and other predators. Small settlements dot the edges of the wetlands, including the waterfront town of Watson Bay, which sits on the Grassrivers coastline.

The Grassrivers terrain is largely inaccessible by conventional road vehicles, making airboats, swamp buggies, and boats the primary means of transportation through the interior. Unpaved trails and elevated boardwalks connect a handful of isolated structures, fishing camps, and docks scattered across the wetlands.

The Leonida Keys

The Leonida Keys form an archipelago running off the southern coast of Mariana County, stretching into the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Leonida. The island chain is accessible via the Keys Causeway, which connects to southern Vice-Dale County. The Keys feature tropical resort communities, marinas, and waterfront bars, providing a stark contrast to the untamed Grassrivers to the north.

The most notable settlement in the Keys is Key Lento, a small island town that serves as a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The Keys are inspired by the real-world Florida Keys, which lie within Monroe County off the southern tip of Florida.

Real-World Inspiration

Mariana County is primarily based on Monroe County, Florida, which encompasses the Florida Keys, the Everglades National Park, and several small mainland communities. The county name itself draws from Marion County, Florida, continuing Rockstar's tradition of blending multiple real-world references into a single fictional location.

Monroe County is one of the southernmost counties in the continental United States and is known for its unique geography, stretching from the Everglades on the mainland through the chain of islands that make up the Florida Keys. This same structure is reflected in Mariana County's combination of the Grassrivers wetlands and the Leonida Keys.

Neighboring Counties

Transportation

Interstate 404 runs through or near Mariana County, connecting it to Vice-Dale County and Kelly County. Within the county, a network of smaller roads serves the Grassrivers communities, while the Keys Causeway provides the primary route south to the Leonida Keys. Boats and watercraft play an important role in navigating the Grassrivers, where paved roads are scarce.

Key Facts