Located east of the Rosetta branch of the Nile River, the Lake Burullus Protected Area stretches over 460 km2 , making it the second largest lake in Egypt. Containing around 50 small islands and one sea-bound connection, water salinity in Lake Burullus can be quite high in some parts. With abundant aquatic vegetation, Lake Burullus was declared a protected area in 1998 and is also an important wetland for wintering waterfowl like the Wigeon and Ferruginous Duck species.