A new look at the X-ray properties of the Galaxy

Observational programmes currently underway with both Chandra and XMM-Newton are set to revolutionize our view of our own Galaxy. This is fortunate since the X-ray band can provide crucial diagnostics in the quest to understand the composition and structure of the Galaxy and the high energy processes which influence its evolution. Here we review several areas in which rapid progress is being made. These include investigations into the nature of the Galactic X-ray source population at faint fluxes, the distribution and origin of the X-ray emission emanating from the Galactic Centre Region and the spectral characteristics of the Galactic Soft X-ray Background.