From tragedy in Japan to protest and liberation in the Middle East, 2011 has without doubt thrown up some incredible and compelling news stories, the ramifications of which will be carried over into the new year.
With the stories have come pictures that frequently had more power and impact than the accompanying words. 2011 was no different in a year that has been dominated by events in the Middle East with protests spreading from Tunisia eastwards across north Africa and beyond. The leaders of Egypt and Libya were both high profile casualties of the liberation movement which is still finding its voice in Syria as the year draws to a close.
Other countries also saw their citizens out on the streets, including many in UK cities which found themselves under siege as riots took hold in August, while protesters in Italy and Greece forced changes of government in the face of dire economic woes. Further anger at the financial and business worlds led to 'Occupy' protests, most notably on Wall Street in New York and on the steps of St Paul's in London.
Natural disasters played a big part in the year's story from the devastation in Japan following March's earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and decimated the country's eastern coast to the destruction wreaked by Hurrican Irene in the United States and two earthquakes that hit New Zealand.
It was also a year to remember for many individuals, including the future King of England, Prince William, who married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey; Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and International Monetary fund chief Dominic Strauss-Kahn who both found themselves on the wrong end of sexual misconduct allegations; Dr Conrad Murray, who ended the year behind bars because of his role in the death of Michael Jackson; and Amanda Knox, who was released after four years in an Italian prison having won her appeal against the murder conviction over the death of her friend and housemate, Meredith Kercher.
The world had to say goodbye to a number of high profile characters, both famous and infamous, from singer Amy Winehouse to the Velvet Revolution's iconic leader, Vaclav Havel, and from Apple founder Steve Jobs to North Korea's Kim Jong-Il.
In the world of sport, Mark Cavendish became the first Briton to claim the coveted green jersey in cycling's blue riband event, the Tour de France; Mo Farah claimed World Athletics Championship gold for Britain in the 5,000m while the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, proved he was a little too fast out of the blocks and was disqualified from the final of the 100m for a false start; England's cricket team won the Ashes in Australia while England's rugby players claimed the Six Nations Championship six months before covering themselves in very little glory at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
For more on these and other great moments from 2011, watch the slideshow below.