Sofades

Sofades Σοφάδες
Location
Sofades
Coordinates	39°20′N 22°6′E / 39.333°N 22.100°E / 39.333; 22.100Coordinates: 39°20′N 22°6′E / 39.333°N 22.100°E / 39.333; 22.100
Location within the region
Government
Country:	Greece
Administrative region:	Thessaly
Regional unit:	Karditsa
Population statistics (as of 2011)[1]
Municipality
- Population:	18,864
- Area:	728.8 km2 (281 sq mi)
- Density:	26 /km2 (67 /sq mi)
Municipal unit
- Population:	11,153
Community
- Population:	6,056
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Auto:	ΚΑ

Sofades (Greek: Σοφάδες, Sofádes) is a town and municipality in Thessaly, central Greece belonging to the regional unit of Karditsa. Its 2011 census population was 6,056 people and 18,864 for the municipality, including a large Romani minority. Its elevation is around 120 m above sea level, and the economy is mainly agricultural (cotton, corn). It is the only municipality that has one municipal district with settlements. Sofades is located south of Palamas, southwest of Larissa, the capital of Thessaly, northwest of Lamia and southeast of Karditsa and Trikala. Sofades is on GR-30 (Karditsa - Domokos - Volos) as well as the road between Mataragka and Palamas. It is on the OSE railway line linking Kalambaka and the main line and has a station.

The modern town is very close to the site of the ancient city of Kierion (Κιέριον) or Cierium, one of the most important cities of ancient Thessaly. The name "Sofades" was first recorded as "Sofou" (Σοφού) around 1454-5 AD. The Greek inhabitants of the region are commonly known as Karagounides (Καραγκούνηδες).

Much of the area is hilly and consists of farmland and woodland. Mountains lie to the south and east. A river flows to the north.

Municipality

The municipality Sofades was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 5 former municipalities, that became municipal units:^[2]

• Arni
• Menelaida
• Rentina
• Sofades
• Tamasio

Subdivisions

The municipal unit of Sofades is divided into the following communities:

• Agia Paraskevi
• Agios Vissarios
• Ampelos
• Anogeio
• Dasochori
• Filia
• Gefyria
• Kappadokiko
• Karpochori
• Mascholouri
• Melissochori
• Paschalitsa
• Sofades (Sofades, Tavropos)

Population

External links

• Official website (in Greek)
• Sofades (municipality) on GTP Travel Pages
• Sofades (town) on GTP Travel Pages

References

v t e Administrative division of the Thessaly Region Area 14,037 km² Population 732,762 (2011) Capital Larissa Regional unit of Karditsa Argithea Karditsa Lake Plastiras Mouzaki Palamas Sofades Regional unit of Larissa Agia Elassona Farsala Kileler Larissa Tempi Tyrnavos Regional unit of Magnesia Almyros Rigas Feraios South Pelion Volos Zagora-Mouresi Regional unit of the Sporades Alonnisos Skiathos Skopelos Regional unit of Trikala Farkadona Kalampaka Pyli Trikala Regional governor Konstantinos Agorastos Website http://www.pthes.gov.gr