Question:medium
Which country makes Panama hats?
Which country makes Panama hats?
Show Hint
The country that weaves this hat is not the one it is named after.
Updated On: Jul 14, 2026
- Ecuador
- Panama
- Cuba
- Bolivia
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Track where the hat is actually woven.
The traditional straw hat known worldwide as the Panama hat is hand-woven from toquilla palm fibre, and that weaving craft is centred in Ecuador, especially in Montecristi and Cuenca.
Step 2: Understand how it got its misleading name.
During the building of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, workers and travellers bought these Ecuadorian hats in Panama, so buyers abroad assumed Panama was the source and the name stuck.
Step 3: Eliminate the other countries.
Panama itself only sold and popularised the hat, it did not weave it. Cuba is tied to cigars, and Bolivia is known for quinoa and silver mining, so neither fits the toquilla straw craft.
Final Answer:
The true source of Panama hats is Ecuador, so option A is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{Ecuador}} \]
The traditional straw hat known worldwide as the Panama hat is hand-woven from toquilla palm fibre, and that weaving craft is centred in Ecuador, especially in Montecristi and Cuenca.
Step 2: Understand how it got its misleading name.
During the building of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, workers and travellers bought these Ecuadorian hats in Panama, so buyers abroad assumed Panama was the source and the name stuck.
Step 3: Eliminate the other countries.
Panama itself only sold and popularised the hat, it did not weave it. Cuba is tied to cigars, and Bolivia is known for quinoa and silver mining, so neither fits the toquilla straw craft.
Final Answer:
The true source of Panama hats is Ecuador, so option A is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{Ecuador}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
Questions Asked in SNAP exam
In the following figure, the smaller triangle represents teachers; the big triangle represents politicians; circle represents graduates and rectangle represents members of Parliament. Different regions are being represented by letters of English alphabet. On the basis of the above diagram, answer the following questions: 
- SNAP - 2024
- Venn Diagrams