GTA San Andreas and GTA 5 are often considered amongst the best GTA games ever released. Both of them are based in the same state of San Andreas. In this article, we are going to showcase GTA San Andreas Map vs GTA 5 to see which game has the better open-world map.
Table of Contents
1. San Andreas in GTA SA
The GTA SA version of San Andreas is primarily based on the states of California and Nevada, with some areas (particularly desert and forest areas) based on parts of Arizona. It is divided into three cities: Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas; and the 5 counties: Red County, Flint County, Whetstone, Tierra Robada and Bone County.
The in-game map of GTA SA is about 33 square kilometers in size. It is the largest setting in the GTA series until V. This is why GTA SA vs GTA V is a popular debate.
Los Santos
Los Santos is the largest city in San Andreas. It is based on Los Angeles and filled with a lot of references to real-life landmarks, including the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier, and more. Its several districts are also lifted from the real life Los Angeles County.
The city is a huge sprawling metropolis filled with two-bit hoodlums and all types of gangs, alongside drug dealers and a lot of criminal activities.
San Fierro
San Fierro is the smallest city out of the three. It is west of San Andreas and is based on the city of San Francisco, California. San Fierro has a majority Asian population and is very diverse, economically and ethnically. It also has a lot of references to the real life city, with the Gant Bridge being a copy of the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Fierro is the most urbanized city in the game. Whereas the streets of Los Santos are poverty-stricken with drug addicts and dealers, San Fierro is relatively safer. While there are local gangs, they aren't nearly as hostile as the Ballas and Vagos in Los Santos.
Las Venturas
Las Venturas is based on the real life city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Similar to its counterpart, Las Venturas is located in a desert region and hosts legalized gambling, sporting casinos. It has a gigantic freeway system that spans the whole city.
Casinos play an instrumental role in GTA San Andreas. At one point in the game, the game's protagonist, Carl Johnson, pulls off an Ocean's Eleven-esque heist in Caligula's Casino. It's one of the main reasons Las Venturas is so unforgettable.
2. San Andreas in GTA V
The version of San Andreas is GTA V and GTA Online is closely based on real life California. It consists of two counties: urban Los Santos and mostly rural Blaine County. With a measurement of 75.84 square kilometers, GTA V's Los Santos completely dominates San Andreas as the biggest Grand Theft Auto world map.
Other locations such as San Fierro and Las Venturas do not appear but are mentioned. Below are all major GTA 5 San Andreas locations.
Los Santos
The city of Los Santos and Davis is the main focus of GTA V. It is the urban area of San Andreas with a bustling metropolis sprawling alongside the quiet beachside town of Chumash. There is also a vast forest and wilderness area for hiking, hunting, and other outdoor activities. It is considered the 2nd best city in GTA Series, behind Vice City.
Blaine County
Blaine County is located on the north side of Los Santos and is considered the rural area of San Andreas. It is known for its wildlife, including a large desert, highlands, a sea, and forests. The county is divided into three towns: Sandy Shores, Grapeseed, and Paleto Bay.
3. GTA San Andreas map vs GTA 5 map, which is better?
GTA 5 vs GTA San Andreas Map size is 76 vs 33 kilometer. Overall, GTA 5 map is undoubtedly the more realistic version of the area, with a huge city span over a much bigger area. The urban area of GTA 5's Los Santos alone is bigger than all cities in GTA San Andreas combined. Furthermore, you can do a lot more things in GTA V comparing to its predecessor.
However, GTA San Andreas compared to GTA 5 has the variety going on for it. While we only get to explore a single city with one style of design in GTA 5, we get to visit 3 different cities in San Andreas. This matters a lot, as the design and art styles of San Fierro and Las Venturas are legendary.
Verdict: GTA 5 is better as a game, with a bigger and more detailed map.
Why didn't Rockstar add the full GTA San Andreas map in GTA 5? Apparently, the two other cities have never been part of the plan for GTA 5. They decided to focus on just one city to make it as good as possible instead.
>>> Read more: What Are The Best Trucks In GTA 5 Online 2021?
Comments