Continental Greece occupies the southern most part of the Balkan peninsula, bounded by the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean Seas. The population of Greece is about 10.8 million. The typically Mediterranean climate of intensely dry hot summers and mild, wet winters is modified in large parts of Greece by the presence of many mountains which produce continental conditions of snow in winter and moderate summer temperatures much farther south than might be expected. Precipitation varies from an annual average of 46 to 47 inches in the island of Corfu and the mainland area opposite it to about 15 inches at Athens (mainly during the winter months) and in some of the islands of the Cyclades. On the higher mountains (including the highest of all at 9,751 feet, Mt. Olympus) snow can be found from October until late spring. Although Greek is the national language, English, and often French, are widely understood in major urban centres. Tourism in GreeceVisit these tourism sites: Greek National Tourism and Athens Guide Greek Cultural FestivalsGreek Festival Thessaloniki Intl Film Festival Thessaloniki Intl Documentary film Festival Halandri Festival Hymettus Festival Symi-Chalki-Kastellorizo Festival Epidavros Festival Chania Festival Manolis Kalomiris Music Festival Musical July The Ermoupolis Guitar Festival Kalamata International Documentary Film Festival Santorini Jazz Festival Photosynkyria International Photo Festival Lefkas Folklore Festival World Arts Festival on Human Rights
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