  From the ASCA X-ray point-source list in the Galactic center 5x5 degree^2
region, we found the clear correlation between the position of the sources and
the absorption. This fact implies that the major part of the absorption is due
to the cold interstellar matter (ISM) in the line of sight. Using the
correlation, we estimate the distribution of the cold ISM. We also found that
the ratio of high mass binaries to low mass binaries is significantly smaller
than that in the whole Galaxy or SMC, which implies that the past starburst
activity in the Galactic center region was rather quiet.
