2011's "Time 100"

Wael Ghonim — Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

Time Magazine's annual list of the top 100 most influential people on the planet is always fascinating - and often controversial. Here is a selection of some of the people who made the list this year.

Google executive and Egyptian opposition activist Wael Ghonim topped the list. At 30 years old, Ghonim has a brilliant talent not just for developing the Internet but for understanding that it can be a tool for communication and rebellion. Ghonim was a major figure in the uprising in Egypt, a call for freedom that is still resonating across the Arab world.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has built an empire out of bringing people together and was the subject of "The Social Network," an Oscar-nominated 2010 film.

Comedienne Amy Poehler has had an exceptional year. Her sitcom "Parks and Recreation" has moved out of the shadow of "The Office" and is near the top of many critics' lists of television's best comedies. This is thanks in no small part to the energy and authenticity Poehler brings to the screen.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's release of previously confidential material has made him a household name and a wanted man.

House speaker John Boehner is the head of a Republican resurgence in American politics. In his brief tenure as Speaker, Boehner has led the charge for reducing spending, while also showing a willingness to listen to opposing viewpoints.

Economist Esther Duflo does what few economists do any more: Goes out into the field to see how people live. Duflo made waves when she announced that microlending might not be as beneficial to the developing world as initially thought. She founded the MIT Poverty Action Lab and is a tireless campaigner for the billions of people living in hunger.

Colin Firth, winner of the Oscar for Best Actor for "The King's Speech," is the consummate actor. He has been pleasing fans since "Pride and Prejudice" and stands out for the craftsmanship, dedication and the quiet dignity he brings to every role.

Belgium's Kim Clijsters seems to have found the perfect balance between the personal and professional. After retiring at the age of 23 to start a family, Clijsters returned to the game better than ever. She is one of the dominant forces in tennis, and also an incredibly down-to-earth star.

Vice President Joe Biden is emerging as more than just an Oval Office sidekick, taking on a advisory role at the Obama White House.

As the first female leader of Germany, Angela Merkel has led her nation from an economic downtown in the last decade to the powerhouse it is now. Germany is once again a major player on the international stage, thanks in no small part to the tireless work and decisive leadership of Chancellor Merkel.

Justin Bieber performs on stage in Paris. — AP Photo/Thibault Camus

When it comes to Justin Bieber, "sensation" seems like too small a word. The teen star draws crowds of screaming fans wherever he goes and has a multi-platinum album to his name. At the age of 17, there's little doubt Bieber will be influential for years to come.

Author Amy Chau - the infamous "tiger mother" - challenged America's perceptions of parenthood. "Controversial" definitely fits the bill for Chau, who inspired outrage with her book "Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother."

Twenty-year-old Chris Colfer is a role model on and off the screen. His character Kurt on "Glee" broke ground in its portrayal of a gay teen. In his personal life, Colfer is an outspoken advocate for LGBT awareness and is a leading figure in the "It Gets Better" movement.

Ai Weiwei is a vitally important, and extremely controversial, voice in China's emerging art scene. The 53-year-old artist is considered a visionary by some and a dissident by authorities. As an advocate for greater human rights in China, Weiwei is currently under arrest and his whereabouts are unknown.

General Liang Guanglie is China's Minister of National Defense, seen here with his U.S. counterpart Robert Gates. He is the man overseeing the massive increase in military spending China has embarked on in recent years, a move that many believe will eventually lead to China becoming a legitimate military rival to the United States. With his focus on building up the defense of China, Guanglie is set to leave his legacy in world politics for decades to come.

Geoffrey Canada, social activist and educator, is the president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone in Harlem, N.Y., an organization which states its goal is to increase high school and college graduation rates among students in Harlem. His organization currently serves 8,000 children and is being used as a template for President Obama's Promise Neighborhoods program.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the head of India's largest private company and one of the richest men in the world. Growing up in a two-bedroom tenement with six other people, Ambani exemplifies the economic rise of India.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz has expanded the scope of economics, while also being consistently right in predicting global market shifts before they happen. He say the collapse of 2008 coming and continues to propose looking at our 21st economy as a truly global creature.

Lamido Sanusi has been credited with almost single-handedly turning around the fortunes of Nigeria. Decades of corruption have hobbled the most populous country in Africa, but Sanusi has embarked on a passionate campaign to clean up the nation after becoming the head of Nigeria's Central Bank in 2009.

Ever played "Angry Birds?" You and 100 million other people. The brainchild of Peter Vesterbacka, "Angry Birds" has captivated players around the world and changed the paradigm of how video games and played - and who plays them.

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