Jacmel, (Jakmèl in Kréyòl) also known by its inigenous name of Yaquimel, is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698. It is the capital of the department of Sud-Est. Considered a cultural capital of Haiti, Jacmel is a quiet yet very charming city situated on Horseshoe Bay. Its population is estimated at 40,000. The city has not changed much since the late 19th century when the port city was home to wealthy coffee merchants living in gracious mansions which later influenced the home structure of much of New Orleans; the architecture of the city boasted cast iron pillars and balconies purchased in France. Today, many of these homes are now artisan shops that sell vibrant handicrafts, papier-mâché masks and carved-wood animal figures. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the once flourishing cigar and coffee industries. The city is a popular tourist destination in Haiti due to its relative tranquility and distance from the recent political turmoil in the capital.