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 km 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 13000 ha. Yeşildere residents hope that this may prevent further loss in population.