Historically known as Venessa, modern Avanos stands on the banks of the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak (Red River), the ancient Halys.
The district covers an area of 994 km2, with an average elevation is 920 m. The highest point is Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at 1,756 m.
Avanos’ most important industry is pottery production, an industry which probably dates back to Hittite times and which makes use of clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak. The town is also a popular tourist destination because of its attractive old town and riverside location.
Like the rest of Cappadocia, Avanos has a continental climate with very hot, dry summers, and cold, snowy winters.
