What does the phrase in fact mean?

Antarctica is a snow-covered continent. The average temperature at the South Pole is -50°C. Few plants and animals can live on the land because it is too cold for them. There are a few scientists from different countries who live and work on special bases in Antarctica. On midsummer’s day (December 22nd) there is daylight for 24 hours and so during this period a few tourist ships and planes come to see this strange land. But in the winter there is no daylight for months. It must be a terrible place during the winter. The snow is always there - winter and summer - but in fact, little snow falls in the year (an average of 12-20 cm). People say that it can be a beautiful place. At first, it appears frightening but after a little time, some people fall in love with it.

Lan has three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. She usually has breakfast at home. She has bread, eggs and milk for breakfast. At school, Lan and her friends have lunch at half past eleven. They often have fish or meat and vegetables for lunch. Lan has dinner with her parents at home at seven o'clock. They often have meat, fish or chicken and vegetables for dinner. After dinner, they eat some fruit and drink tea. Lan likes dinner because it is a big and happy meal of the day.