The Panama hat is a traditional hat of Ecuadorian origin that is made from the plaited leaves of the toquilla straw plant (Carludovica palmata). It has been known since the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The hats became popularized during the building of the Panama Canal, during which a number of workers wore them to protect themselves from the sun. Since then the hats became known throughout the world as the Panama hat.Today, they can be found for sale all over the world at varying levels of price and quality.

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