Lebanese moved all across the U.S. (although the heaviest concentration was in Michigan), and many moved south to Puerto Rico after entering the U.S. Since almost all Lebanese immigrants to America were Maronite Catholics, the fact that Puerto Rico was like 95% Catholic back in the early 20th Century (it is like 75% Catholic and 25% Protestant nowadays) may have had a lot to do with that. I think that's also the reason why so many Lebanese moved to heavily Catholic South Louisiana---in fact, the past two Congressmen from the Cajun 7th CD have been Lebanese-Americans, Democrat Chris John and Republican Charles Boustany.
You're right about the large number of Lebanese throughout Latin America---again, I think Catholicism was part of the attraction. In fact, Lebanese have been hugely successful in politics in South America, with former Argentine President Menem and at least two recent Ecuadorian presidents being of Lebanese descent.
Speaking of which, what is Abdala Bucaram doing these days.
If one looks at the large Lebanese population in Brooklyn, NY, you will see that Christians dominated the immigant population through the mid-1980s. Since that time, however, there has been a large influx of Shiites from Lebanon, particularly into the Bay Ridge area.
My Favorite Lebanese character? Corporal Max Klinger form M*A*S*H*. "I'm Lebanese! I'm full of the juices of life!"
former Argentine President Menem.......
His parents were Muslim, not Christian