Randland is a name adopted by fans to refer to the world where The Wheel of Time series takes place, and is derived from the name of the central character, Rand al'Thor. More specifically, it often refers to the Westlands, the main area of Randland's main continent between the Aryth Ocean and the Spine of the World; although forgotten places are mentioned in the east. Like many other writers, Robert Jordan never officially names his world, so in lieu of another name Randland has come into accepted common usage so that fans have something to call it. It is possible that it is still called Earth as Lan Mandragoran refers to Malkier as being "wiped off the face of the earth".