The city is famous in Scottish legends and literature. At the end of the 18th century it had many Poets, Authors, Philosophers who all settled here. It is divided into two sections. The Old Town built on the slope of Castle Rock dates from the 11th century and contains most of the city's historic sites; the New Town spreads to the North. The city has more parks then any other place in Great Britain.

The city manufactures paper, printing, publishing, cartography, breweries, textiles, clothing and food products.

Edinburgh is the seat of the Bank of Scotland since 1695, the High Court, Roman Catholic Bishop, Anglican Bishop and of the Scots Presbyterian Church.

A yearly International festival is held in the summer ever since 1947. Also other yearly events are also taking place as Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival and twice yearly the Edinburgh Book Festival. These events draw an enormous amount of visitors and tourists.

The Universities are Edinburgh University [1583], Heriot-Watt Technical University and the Royal Scottish Academy.