Abstract
This review summarizes our current knowledge about the interstellar matter between about 1.7 and 10 pc(a) from IRS16/SGR A∗, a region which now commonly is referred to as the circum-nuclear disk (CND). I will discuss first the spatial distribution of the neutral and partially ionized, interstellar matter, then its physical parameters and excitation and, finally its dynamics. For other recent reviews of the subject I refer to the articles by Güsten (1987), Genzel (1987), Genzel and Townes (1987) and Jaffe (1987).