Panama hat

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Panama Hat made for Harry Truman

Panama hats sold on a street market in Ecuador

A Panama hat or just Panama is a traditional brimmed hat that is made from the plaited leaves of the panama-hat palm (also called jipijapa or toquilla) (Carludovica palmata). Despite the name, genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador, not Panama; their naming comes from the fact that they came to prominence during the construction of the Panama Canal. The Ecuadorian town of Cuenca is the main producer; however, the town of Montecristi has the reputation of producing the finest quality hats.

External links

• [link] Click to see site of The Original Panama Hats since 1939

17th century interpretation of saint James the Greater by the Peruvian school of Cuzco. The pilgrim hat has become a Panama hat.

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