Do come back

摘要

Dubbed "Little Venezuela", the southern Syrian town of Sweida offers arepa bread, roads named after Latin American revolutionary leaders and visits from Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez. It has long been known for its Hispanic influence, thanks to generations of Syrians and Lebanese who left in the 19th and 20th centuries to work in South America and who have periodically returned. With enduring links to Argentina, Brazil (where 5% of the people claim Middle Eastern roots), Chile and Venezuela, Syria can boast that it is the world's biggest importer of mate tea.