[3] Yeşildere is 35 kilometres (22 mi) east of Karaman.

The town is situated at the south Toros Mountains along the valley of İbrala rivulet.

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) [4] However, there were Christian Turks around Karaman area up to 20th century and the church might be built at a later period.

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.