IMAGES: Hottest Women in the World 2012!

Maxim Magazine released its annual Hot 100 list -- what they call the 'definitive list of the world's most beautiful women'. We bring you the top 30!

Models, actresses, a cartoon and even a man! With millions of votes cast by enthusiastic readers, it's hardly surprising that Maxim Magazine's annual Hot 100 list has the spectrum covered.

In the following pages, the 30 ladies who emerged victorious.

1. Bar Refaeli

The Israeli supermodel seized the crown from last year's winner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Understandably, she was quite taken with the honour and the Daily Mail says Bar took to Twitter to express her delight, stating, 'So happy and honored to be #1 on #Maximhot100! thank you @maximmag! this is very exciting!'

American actress Olivia nabbed second place for the second year in a row. Who knows, maybe she'll manage to top it in 2013!

The Black Swan star edged her way up two places from Number Five in 2011.

Voluptuous songstress Katy slipped down one place this year, from third to fourth spot.

That's two Olivias in the top five! Actress and model Wilde joins Munn on the list, albeit three places down.

With The Hunger Games doing booming business at the box office, it's hardly surprising that Jennifer's star is rapidly rising and her stunning looks are winning her accolades.

With her mesmerising gaze and gorgeous appearance, Emma made it to Maxim's Hot 100 at seven.

Considering Megan took top spot in 2010, she's slipped considerably -- but there's no denying she's among the sexiest on the planet!

Swedish-Canadian stunner Malin comes in at Number Nine.

Rounding off the top 10 we have this pretty American actress, star of NBC TV series Friday Night Lights.

The 2012 list is quite an upset for Rosie -- she was in first place last year and she's not even in the top 10 this time around!

Bombshell Beckinsale seems to be edging her way upward... she jumped from 22 in 2010, to being bumped off in 2011 and re-entering at 12 in 2012!

Blonde beauty Blake follows a pattern similar to Kate -- she was voted as high as Number Four in 2010, bumped off last year and made it back at 13 in 2012.

Glee star Lea has made a phenomenal impression, it would seem -- she closed in on 14th place from 28 in 2011!

Best-dressed in the world she may be, but obviously Kristen has some way to go before she's deemed sexiest too. The Twilight actress comes in at 15.

South African looker and Hollywood A-lister Charlize's blonde charms haven't gone unnoticed -- she claims 16th place.

The curvy Scarlett slips down a notch, from 14 in 2011 to 17 this year.

The 30 Rock actress was named Esquire Magazine's 'Sexiest Woman Alive' last year, but Maxim readers obviously think she has some way to go before topping the Hot 100!

You may not have heard of American musician and actress Victoria Justice, but laying eyes upon her makes it easy to guess why she's made it to 19!

She's likely got the most talked-about cleavage in entertainment, so Jennifer and her full figure round off the top 20.

Emma's sealed her reputation as a style icon and star and she's now gearing up to be reckoned with in the sexy stakes! The former child actress nabs 21st place.

With her sizzling cover shoot for the magazine, The Big Bang Theory cutie Kaley proved she can play at the hottie too.

Following up at 23 we have fresh-faced and feminine Anne -- she's one class act!

Disney babe Selena's beginning to channel grown up styles and getting noticed in the bargain -- she comes in at 24.

Australian model Jessica has starred in the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 issues of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue -- and now she's in Maxim's Hot 100 at 25.

Radiant stunner and country singer Taylor slipped from Number 20 last year to 26 this year. We still say she's gorgeous!

Lea's Glee co-star stands a good 13 notches below her at 27 -- maybe Naya will be more competition next year!

Justin Timberlake's ladylove Jessica has a bod to be envied, even by Hollywood standards and so nabs 28th position.

Bombshell Eva has never shied away from flashing the flesh, but she' slipped from 18 the last time around to just shy of 30.

And finally, we have French femme fatale Berenice bringing up the rear in 30th place.

But there are a lot more ladies who didn't make it that high -- and even comedian Stephen Colbert, who was recently named an 'honourary woman' by The Huffington Post for his strong stand on women's issues!

Below is the rest of the Maxim Hot 100 list for 2012:

31. Candice Swanepoel
32. Rihanna
33. Jessica Alba
34. Elisha Cuthbert
35. Yvonne Strahovski
36. Sarah Shahi
37. Jennifer Lopez
38 . Kelly Kelly
39. Kate Upton
40. Miranda Kerr
41. Zooey Deschanel
42. Brooklyn Decker
43. Ashley Greene
44. Lake Bell
45. Zoe Saldana
46. Adriana Lima
47. Julianne Hough
48. Brittany Snow
49. Emmy Rossum
50. Sarah Hyland
51. Stacy Keibler
52. Jordana Brewster
53. Amber Heard
54. Katharine McPhee
55. Emma Roberts
56. Lily Collins
57. Lee Newton
58. Arianny Celeste
59. Amanda Bynes
60. Shakira
61. Kristen Bell
62. Vanessa Hudgens
63. Dawn Olivieri
64. Maria Menounos
65. Cobie Smulders
66. Alex Morgan
67. Rebecca Mader
68. Miley Cyrus
69. Stephen Colbert
70. Michelle Dockery
71. Sofia Vergara
72. Kellie Pickler
73. Abby Elliott
74. Jwoww (Jennifer 'Jenni' Farley)
75. Jessica Rafalowski
76. Teresa Palmer
77. Chirstina Hendricks
78. Kirby Bliss Blanton
79. Nicki Minaj
80. Stana Katic
81. Pippa Middleton
82. April Rose
83. Dania Ramirez
84. Nina Dobrev
85. Lois Griffin
86. Caroline Wozniaki
87. Paulina Gretzky
88. Jacqueline MacInnes
89. Dalena Henriques
90. Bria Murphy
91. Claire Coffee
92. Amanda Knox
93. La La Anthony
94. Alexandra Breckinridge
95. Layla El
96. Nadia G.
97. Kat Dennings
98. Anahi
99. Poppy Montgomery
100. Dominique Storelli