  We use hydrodynamical simulations to construct a new coherent picture for the
gas flow in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), the region of our Galaxy within
$R\leq 500\, \mathrm{pc}$. We relate connected structures observed in $(l,b,v)$
data cubes of molecular tracers to nuclear spiral arms. These arise naturally
in hydrodynamical simulations of barred galaxies, and are similar to those that
can be seen in external galaxies such as NGC4303 or NGC1097. We discuss a
face-on view of the CMZ including the position of several prominent molecular
clouds, such as Sgr B2, the $20\,{\rm km\, s^{-1}}$ and $50\,{\rm km\, s^{-1}}$
clouds, the polar arc, Bania Clump 2 and Sgr C. Our model is also consistent
with the larger scale gas flow, up to $R\simeq 3\,\rm kpc$, thus providing a
consistent picture of the entire Galactic bar region.
