Briggs

Briggs is the infamous mountain range located at the northernmost point of Amestris' northern region. Due to its immense height and breadth, the mountains of Briggs serve as a natural barrier along the border between Amestris and its neighboring country, Drachma. This merciless chain of peaks is also home to and namesake of one of the Amestrian State Military's most distinguished garrisons, "Fort Briggs".

Due to its northern climate and mountain altitude, the Briggs mountains in the northern region are snowy year-round, creating a landscape that is described by some as consisting entirely of black and white, but in the winter especially, the already fickle temperatures fall well below zero into frostbite-inducing or hypothermic territory and terrible blizzards roll in frequently without warning. With conditions like these, human habitation is clearly impossible - at least in normal or extended terms - but the frigid sierra is not entirely devoid of life. While flora appears sparse, some species of coniferous evergreens thrive in abundance in the low-to-mid altitudes and the Briggs ecosystem is home to several animal species as well - including eagles, small rabbits, mountain deer, wolves and Briggs Mountain grizzly bears, which are nationally infamous for standing roughly three meters tall on their hind legs.

Fort Briggs
Fort Briggs lies on the border between the countries of Amestris and Drachma. Stretching across a narrow valley between the two countries, the Fort protects Amestris where the mountains cannot. Briggs is home to Amestris' first military garrison against Drachma, led by Major General Armstrong. The phrase "Fort Briggs" is often associated with strength and endurance by the citizens of Amestris, enough to make some soldiers tremble at the thought. The military base itself is a massive wall comprised of research labs, a prison, gunnery positions, soldiers' quarters, supply tunnels and an immense main tunnel which runs the length of the installation. The nearest other settlement relatively close to the fortress, North City, also serves as a supply center and medical hub for the Briggs troops. Any who wish to pass between the two nations must first go through this fort.

Trivia

 * Briggs' soldiers and the East soldiers are considered Amestris' finest military units, but, while the Eastern Army is the 'perfect attack,' Briggs holds the title of 'perfect defense,' suggesting an alliance between both Briggs and the Eastern Army would provide the perfect military unit. This was demonstrated during the Promised Day when they joined forces under generals Armstrong and Grumman to overthrow Central High Command and save Amestris from Father's Nationwide Transmutation Circle.
 * The Amestrian Army have regular exercises between Northern and Eastern forces, which usually take place in the Briggs fortress during the winter. These exercises serve to train the Amestrian army and prepare them for any conflict that might take place between Amestris and its enemies. It is common knowledge that these exercises are usually won by the Briggs forces.
 * A young Izumi Curtis was sent to survive in this harsh mountain range for a total of one month, harnessing her own skills in understanding life and connecting with the nature of the locale.
 * Although there is a cease fire treaty between Amestris and Drachma, the Briggs border is known to be a very unstable area, prone to incidents which might lead to the voiding of said treaty.
 * There were complaints that the rations served in Fort Briggs taste terrible, especially the coffee. Another source of complaints has been the supposed lack of beautiful women in the region, save for Major General Armstrong, who is regarded as a tigress instead.
 * None of the Briggs soldiers seem to notice that the doctor is female, as seen in Chapter 71.
 * Each of Briggs' soldiers is said to be able to defeat a grizzly bear in combat.