2. A Studio Oscar Presentation Images of

3. Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-41. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000.

4. Ethiopia

5. Girl at Dimeka market Warrior at Dimeka market

6. Girl and woman in Thurmi, Ethiopia

7. Market in Harer

10. Old man selling firewood in Lalibela

11. Simien Mountains near Gondar

14. Hamar women at Dimeka market

17. Girl in Mursi VillageGirl in Key Afar

19. Hat salesmen outside Lalibela

22. Blue Nile falls

26. The End