Evros River was known in mythology as "Romvos" and took its name from Evros, son of Cassander, king of Thrace, who drowned in its waters. Nowadays, Evros River is called "Maritsa" by Turks and Bulgarians, though some trace the name to Slavic words meaning "peace" and "tranquility." Evros River creates an extensive 188 square kilometer delta where it empties into the Aegean Sea in northeastern Greece. The delta provides shelter and food for hundreds of thousands of birds each year and is an important natural resource for the local community.