American actor Robert Duvall's 2003 homage to the dance is a suspenseful drama of political intrigue, Assassination Tango. It's about a semi-retired hit-man, played by Duvall, who is hired to kill an aging general of the 1980s "Dirty War" that the Argentine government waged against its citizens. When his assignment is delayed after his arrival in Buenos Aires, he bides his time prowling the city's milonga ballrooms, watching and learning about tango. It's a perfect film for wanna-be tango dancers like Duvall's character.

The modern-day Panama hat originated in the first quarter of the 17th century. Sales of the materials for the hat transformed the economy, offering many coastal residents employment at a task for which demand was international and growing. By the 1800s, indigenous craftsmanship melded with colonial manufacturing know-how to construct the hats at a faster rate. The first Panama hat factory to be established in the Andes was in the colonial city of Cuenca in the Andean province of Azuay in 1836.

The most coveted hats, ones woven by master craftsmen over several months (and signed when the work is finished) are described by the adjective “fino” with a second adjective to further divide them as fino-fino, extra fine and superfine grades. Different sellers use various terms to describe the weave of their hats which can be confusing for visitors on Ecuador tours. If you can roll the hat, and it regains its shape, you know it is a quality Panama hat.

Visitors who plan to purchase a Panama hat during their travel to Ecuador may wish to study the subject before their Ecuador tours begin. Hats vary by color, weave and craftsmanship as well as coming in a myriad of styles. Take the crown for instance which may be shallow or deep. It may dimple and narrow at the top as in the Stetson or be dissected back to front by a ridge in the colonial style. Starting in the 19th century, some of the most popular styles over generations, have been variations of the fedora.

People call it the world’s most perfectly crafted hat, one long appreciated by aristocrats, world leaders, stars of stage and screen, and performers of every ilk, from pop music stars to sumo wrestlers. The Ecuador Panama hat became the rage in Europe after visitors saw it at the 1855 Paris World’s Fair. In 1906, a photo of Teddy Roosevelt, appeared on the front page of newspapers around the world, as he inspected his country’s progress on the Panama Canal’s construction. Like everyone else, he was wearing a Panama hat.