  This review compiles the results of recent studies of molecular gas
conditions in the central six hundred parsecs of our Galaxy. The review begins
by placing our Galactic center into context with the rest of our galaxy. It
next discusses the wealth of previous research on the Galactic center, before
focusing on what is known about the molecular interstellar medium in this
region. It focuses especially on a surge in interest in this region and new
studies conducted in the last five years. It concludes by highlighting open
questions that remain, and the potential for new facilities such as ALMA to
make progress in resolving these uncertainties.
