Brest, Regional administrative center in southwestern Belarus
Brest is a settlement near the Polish and Ukrainian borders, stretching along the confluence of the Mukhavets and Bug rivers. Administrative buildings and colleges spread across both riverbanks and several central neighborhoods.
The settlement received its first mention in the 11th century as a trading post along river routes between the Baltic and Black seas. The peace treaty signed here in 1918 ended Russian participation in the First World War and shifted borders across Eastern Europe.
The name comes from the Slavic word for elm tree, reflecting the wooded landscape that once surrounded the settlement. Residents gather along the wide boulevards and in riverside parks throughout the warmer months.
The main railway station links European and Asian rail networks, requiring gauge changes for international trains crossing the border. Travelers should allow extra time for border controls and the transition between track widths.
The nearby Białowieża Forest preserves one of the last remnants of the primeval woodland that once covered much of Eastern Europe. European bison still roam there in their natural habitat.
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