Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park, forest reserve not far from the city of Brest on the Polish border and 340 km (200 mls.) south-west of Minsk, is a unique combination of ancient fauna and flora. In total it is about 90,000 hectares (550 sq. mls). It was established in 1939, in 1992 UNESCO listed the park in World Heritage and in 1993 it was granted the status of a Biosphere Reserve. It is unique and the largest primeval area of typical ancient forests. Remnants of ancient forest tracks from the 12th century route from the Baltic Sea to the Bug and Dnieper rivers still exist. There are mixed and broad-leaved woods (more then 1000 oak trees from 300-700 years old, 450 year old ashes, 220 year old pines and 150 year old junipers. Meadows and water systems have been preserved in their natural state.
