As 2011 nears its end, let us take a look at the events which took place in the previous 12 months.

A picture is worth a thousand words, it is truly said, and photographers around the world have done a great job of capturing all the breaking news as well as personal stories that defined the year 2011.

Starting with Arab uprisings to the devastating earthquake, the tsunami and the nuclear disaster in Japan, the volcano eruption in Iceland to the Occupy Wall Street protest in the U.S., there was no lack of news this year.

Every year there are special moments that make us laugh, cry or even be terrified.

Here is a picture gallery which presents the photos featuring significant occurrences around the world in the year.