Helvadere

Helvadere is on the western slopes of Mount Hasan at about 1,350 m (4,430 ft). It is 30 km (19 mi) south of Aksaray. The midtown coordinates are 38°11′40″N 34°12′20″E . The population was 2877 as of 2009[1]

Helvadere is situated next to ruins of the ancient town Nora, which was an important town in Hellenistic Capadocia. Eventually, the town lost its former importance and in the Middle Ages it was a small village named Harladere. Evliya Çelebi in his Seyahatname describes Harladere as a village of 65 houses; the majority of the population being Turk, but also with a Greek minority. In the early 20th century, the name was Halvadara. But in 1968 Halvadara was declared a town named Helvadere.[2]

Helvadere is a typical agricultural town. Potato, apple and cherry are among the more important crops. Some members of the town work in western Europe as industrial workers (gastarbeiter) and they also contribute to the town's economy.