

The historical centre of Edinburgh is divided into two parts by the Gardens of Princes Street. These gardens were originally marshlands, and can still be seen as such on earlier paintings of the city. To the south of these gardens is the Old Town, dominated by the world famous Edinburgh castle, situated on an extinct volcano. The castle looks down on the shopping district of the city, Princes Street, the beginning of the Royal Mile. To the north of the gardens is the New Town where you will find modern architecture such as the Scottish parliament buildings and The National Gallery of Scotland. To the west of the castle is the financial district, where the banks and insurance companies fuel the hub of Edinburgh's economy. The West of the city is also home to Edinburgh Zoo.