Sofades

Sofades Σοφάδες
Sofades
Location within the region
Coordinates: 39°20′N 22°06′E / 39.333°N 22.100°E / 39.333; 22.100Coordinates: 39°20′N 22°06′E / 39.333°N 22.100°E / 39.333; 22.100
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Thessaly
Regional unit	Karditsa
Area
• Municipality	720.8 km2 (278.3 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	241.3 km2 (93.2 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	18,864
• Municipality density	26/km2 (68/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	11,153
• Municipal unit density	46/km2 (120/sq mi)
Community
• Population	6,056 (2011)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Vehicle registration	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 Greek inhabitants of the region are commonly known as Karagounides (Καραγκούνηδες).

The modern town is very close to the site of the ancient city of Kierion (Greek: Κιέριον) or Cierium, one of the most important cities of ancient Thessaly. The name "Sofades" was first recorded as "Sofou" (Σοφού) around 1454 AD. In the early 1800s the English traveler William Martin Leake described the town as an administrative center consisting of around 150 houses and belonging to Abdim Bey of Larissa, but paying a yearly tribute to Ali Pasha. Chief crops of the region were corn and sesame, from which the oil was a major product.