"Cuenca, Ecuador's "top hat" tow ..." a Cuenca Travel Page by pchamlis

Many people are familiar with the natty and durable "Panama hat", worn by people the world over for many years. Guess what? Most of these hats are actually made in Ecuador, as the straw used for their weaving is indigenous to the marshy lakefronts of the country. The southern colonial city of Cuenca is the center of this industry. The city is one of the wealthier cities in Ecuador, boasting many fine mansions and buildings.

As for the hats..... you can see that the traditional Panama hat is not the only style available at the city's shops and hat factories. Almost any type of hat, accented with a limitless supply of ribbons or silks, can be obtained. And, the cost is very reasonable, especially when you compare it to the ones in the Eddie Bauer catalog(s) back home in America.