Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the administrative center of the City of Edinburgh Council. It lies in the southeast of the country, on the Firth of Forth, and sits on seven hills dominated by Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock.

The historic core consists of the medieval Old Town around the Royal Mile and the later Georgian New Town, designed for orderly expansion in the 18th and 19th centuries. Together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1995.

Landmarks include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, St Giles' Cathedral, and the Scott Monument. Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcanic hill, offer views over the city.

Edinburgh hosts a renowned cultural calendar, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, plus the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Museums and galleries include the National Museum of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland.

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582, is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the English-speaking world. Other universities in the city include Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University.

The economy is driven by higher education, research, government, tourism, and financial services. Transport links include Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket railway stations, Edinburgh Airport, and an expanding tram network.

The Port of Leith, northeast of the city center, has long been an important maritime hub and today hosts a mix of housing, culture, and industry along its waters.