The City of Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city and one of its 32 unitary council areas, situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands. With a population of around 530,000, it is Scotland's second-largest city and a major centre for finance, tourism, education and the arts. Edinburgh is internationally recognised for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, its UNESCO World Heritage Old and New Towns, and iconic landmarks including Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.