[5] It is surrounded by halophytic scrubland and on its bank lies the Hala Sultan Tekke, one of the holiest of shrines within Ottoman Islam.

Among the species are 2,000–12,000 flamingoes (Phoenicopterus roseus)[6] which spend the winter months there feeding off populations of the brine shrimp Artemia salina.

The Larnaca Salt Lake complex was declared as a protected area by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 1997.

[7] Recent evidence suggests that contrary to previous belief the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) not only stops over but also breeds on this wetland.

With rising labour costs harvesting dwindled to a negligible amount and stopped altogether in 1986[3] as the island now imports most of this commodity.