Although the area between the Khan and Swakop Rivers is situated on the fringe of the Namib Desert and forms an insignifcant and sparsely populated part of South West Africa, it is of great geological interest. Metamorphism, granitisation and tectonism are intimately related as it lies approximately at the centre of the Damara Eugeosyncline. After the deposition of the Damara System about 500 million years ago this area was subjected to intense metamorphism which gave rise to various types of granitic rocks. The ultimate product
of metamorphism was the formation of pegmatites, some of which are mineralised and of great economic importance, especially in the northeastern portion of the area. At present they yield mainly lithium minerals, beryl and bismuth, and although the production is small, the reserves are considerable. This memoir and accompanying geological sheet-map supplement the two adjoining maps, Karibib and Omaruru, which were published together with their explanations in 1942 and 1939 respectively, and it is hoped that with the larger map coverage, a better insight into the complex geology of the western Damaraland will be obtained.