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| Area Info - West Rand |
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The West Rand region of Gauteng encompasses the towns Carltonville, Krugersdorp, Westonaria, Randfontein, Soweto, Western Gauteng, the Magaliesburg and all their surrounding areas. All of the aforementioned towns, each of which used to be a separate municipality, have been incorporated into the new West Rand District Municipality. The whole area has grown and developed as a direct result of the discovery of gold in the area. A greater part of the West Rand region is rural and includes some of Gauteng's most beautiful scenery. To the West of the region are the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountains and the valleys of the Skeerpoort and Crocodile rivers. In this area are the archaeological diggings in the Sterkfontein Valley, now known to be the cradle of mankind.
The Magaliesberg range has seen the establishment of numerous hotels, guest houses and resorts along its entire length. In the Eastern part of the range is to be found the Hartbeespoort Dam, a Mecca for the weekend holiday maker from Gauteng and home to many different watersports. The mountains offer many routes to rock climbers and details can be obtained from the Mountain Club of Pretoria. Hot-Air ballooning and hang-gliding are also carried out in the area. There are a great many attractions in and around the village of Magaliesberg. There is a fish farm, a trout farm, the Buffelspoort Holiday Resort, antique shops, a game lodge and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, steam train rides and art galleries. Muldersdrift is a picturesque small village situated at the foot of the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg Mountain range to the West of Pretoria. The village is surrounded by small farms and smallholdings and has become a center for a great number of home craft industries and artists. Close to Muldersdrift in the West Rand is the Lion Safari Park where visitors can see many different species of wild life including a number of prides of lion in a central fenced area. Situated close to Muldersdrift is the Bella Vallata 4x4 Playground, a 5 km off road track specifically built to contain every type of obstacle likely to be encountered by a 4x4. This 4x4 track is a must for 4x4 owners and braai facilities are available. Close to Muldersdrift can be found the Sterkfontein Caves and the Cradle of Mankind. Sterkfontein was declared a World Heritage site in 1999. |
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Croc City crocodile farm provides the opportunity for the public to observe one of the world's most spectacular predators at close range. We are home to more than 800 crocodiles, ranging from hatchlings, to large adults of over four metres in length. Croc City Crocodile Farm is the first commercial crocodile farm in Gauteng granted with a display permit for crocodiles issued by the Department of Nature Conservation in November 2005. Croc City Crocodile Farm is situated, north of Johannesburg, close to Game Parks, Lanseria International Airport, the Cradle of Humankind and en-route to Hartbeespoort Dam. The area is called Nietgedacht and falls within the Crocodile Ramble area. |
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The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossillised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids. The dolomite in which the caves formed, started out as coral reefs growing in a worm shallow sea about 2.3 billion years ago. The Site lies mainly in the Gauteng province with a small extension into the neighboring North-West province, and covers 47 000 hectares of land mostly privately owned. The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossillised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids. |
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Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens |
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One of the great escapes of Johannesburg, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, is almost 300 hectares of landscaped and natural veld that is a haven for birds and a popular picnic spot for Gautengers. Despite development that is threatening encroachment on this beautiful garden, set against the backdrop of the magnificent Witpoortjie waterfall, this is still the home of a breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles that nest in the cliffs alongside the waterfall and no visit is complete until they have been sited. |
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Police Department |
10111 |
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Fire Department |
10177 |
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Ambulance Service |
10177 |
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