Yeşildere, Karaman
# Yeşildere, Karaman

Yeşildere is a village in Karaman District, Karaman Province, Turkey. Its population is 798 (2022). Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).

## Geography

Yeşildere is 35 kilometres (22 mi) east of Karaman. The town is situated at the south Toros Mountains along the valley of İbrala rivulet.

## History

The former name of the town was İbrala. Only a few documents about the history of İbrala survive. Probably the town was founded during medieval age, for the mosque of the town had been built on the ruins of a church (The name of the mosque is kilisecamii meaning church mosque) However, there were Christian Turks around Karaman area up to 20th century and the church might be built at a later period. (see Karamanlides) Formerly a village, Yeşildere was declared a town in 1954.

## Economy

Yeşildere is a typical agricultural town. Irrigation has always been a problem . But there is a small dam under construction on the rivulet which is planned to irrigate 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres). Yeşildere residents hope that this may prevent further loss in population.

