The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Maeander
(mn´dr) (KEY) , ancient name of the Büyük Menderes River, c.250 mi (400 km) long, W Turkey. It rises in three branches W of Afyonkarahisar and flows generally W into the Aegean Sea. Its valley is extremely fertile. Its winding and wandering course gave rise to the word meander.