West Rand

The West Rand[1] is the urban western part of the Witwatersrand that is functionally merged with the Johannesburg conurbation.

This area became settled by Europeans after a gold-bearing reef discovered in 1886 and sparked the gold rush that gave rise to the establishment of Johannesburg.

The areas of Carletonville and Westonaria are sometimes included as being part of the Far West Rand.

The areas are economically linked to the city through the gold mining industry.

It is not uncommon for residents of the West Rand to work in Johannesburg proper and vice versa.