Jacmel
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Jacmel (Jakmèl in Kréyòl) is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698, it is the capital of the department of the Southeast. Jacmel is a quiet city but full of charm situated on Horseshoe Bay. Its population is estimated at 15,000. The city has not changed much sinced the late 19th century when this charming port city was home of wealthy coffee merchants living in gracious mansions influenced by the New Orleans Style; 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-mache masks and carved-woods animal figures. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the once flourishing cigar and coffee industries.
[edit] People
- Michaëlle Jean, later Governor General of Canada, was born to a Jacmel family.