top photos of 2011
A look back at the destruction and beauty throughout the world in 2011
- A protester stands in front of a burning barricade during a demonstration inCairo January 28, 2011Photo by Goran Tomasevic
- Zukhro, an employee of the city zoo, walks with Vadik, an 18-month-old malelion, on the territory of the zoo in the capital Dushanbe, January 20, 2011.Employees take the lion from its cage to have a promenade along the territorytwo times a week while holding a piece of meat to attract Vadik's attention soit walks nearby.Photo by Nozim Kalandarov
- Researchers dressed in panda costumes put a panda cub into a basket beforetransferring it to a new living environment at the Hetaoping Research andConservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong National Nature Reserve,Sichuan province February 20, 2011Photo by Heng Yi
- A 22-year-old woman in a wedding gown is grabbed by Guo Zhongfan, a localcommunity officer, as she attempts to kill herself by jumping out of aseven-storey residential building in Changchun, Jilin province May 17, 2011.According to local media, the woman tried to commit suicide after her boyfriendof four years broke up with her, just as they were making plans to get married.The woman did not sustain any injuries during the incident.Photo by Li Ping
- A miner climbs on excavated rocks after a giant drill machine broke through atthe final section Sedrun-Faido, at the construction site of the NEAT GotthardBase Tunnel March 23, 2011. Crossing the Alps, the world's longest train tunnelshould become operational at the end of 2016.Photo by Arnd Wiegmann
- Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand lays on the track after falling during the women's1,500 meters heats at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu August 28, 2011Photo by David Gray
- Tsunami SwirlsPhotograph from Kyodo/AP
- Kesennuma, Japan. March 15, 2011Photo by James Nachtwey
- Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchessof Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 inLondon, EnglandPhoto by Peter Macdiarmid
- Shuttle launch. May 16, 2011Photo by Stefanie Gordon
- London RiotsPhoto by Amy Weston
- University of California, Davis, California. November 18, 2011Photo by Wayne Tilcock
Photos capture what words cannot — they become illustrated moments of time that are used to define iconic events that will go down in history.
From the protests in Egypt to the devastating tsunami in Japan, a royal wedding in England and a lucky shot of the shuttle launch breaking across the clouds, these photos capture humanity — for better or worse — throughout the world in 2011.
As the year comes to a close, "Best Photos of the Year" lists are circulating around the web, and CultureMap has narrowed down the lists so you can take a look back at the very best photos of 2011.
WARNING: Some images contain graphic content or nudity.
Time Magazine
2011 was the year of protests and uprisings. Wars are battled, lives are lost and families are torn apart. Some of these photos are difficult to view, but ignoring them isn't an option anymore.
National Geographic
No one captures the world quite like National Geographic photographers. They cross tundras, plains, oceans and outer space to bring us shots of wildlife and landscapes that we would otherwise never get to see.
Best Wild Animal Photos of 2011
Reuturs
Reuturs photographers are out in the field, capturing the most difficult scenarios in the most dangerous places around the world, in order to bring to light the tragic events taking place on a daily basis.
BuzzFeed
This list has gone viral on several social media outlets, but just in case you missed it.
The 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011
Denver Post
A three part collection of some of the most moving photos of 2011.