Arab immigration to Honduras

Arab immigration to the Republic of Honduras began in the 19th century with the liberal reforms of President Marco Aurelio Soto (1876–1883), who saw immigration as a determining factor in the development of capitalism in Central America, and sought to establish an attractive environment for foreign investment. The largest Arab community in Honduras is the people of Palestinian descent, the majority of whom (95%) are Christian (Catholic and Orthodox). The approximate population of Honduran Arabs is more than 300,000 people, arround 280,000 Palestinians and 20,000 Lebanese, estimates place the Muslim population at about 11,000.