Brest (139,342; met. area pop. 319,947) is a seaport city on the northwest coast of France. Brest is one of France’s chief naval bases. It serves as a base for the country’s nuclear submarines. The city’s economy is based chiefly on shipping and economic activities generated by the naval base. Products of Brest include chemicals, clothing, electronic equipment, machinery, ships, and textiles.
Roman soldiers established a settlement on the site of what is now Brest in the 50’s B.C. Brest became a major shipping center following the construction of its harbor in the 1600’s. German troops occupied the city in 1940, during World War II. Brest’s harbor, protected by forts, was used by the Germans as a submarine base. Allied bombing raids destroyed much of the city, including its old central section, during the war. However, the bombed areas of the city were soon rebuilt.
