REVEALED: The 50 stories that shaped 2012

From the ongoing turmoil of the Arab Spring, to the revival of Dubai's real estate sector and the announcement of new multi-billion mega projects across the Gulf, the regional news agenda throughout 2012 has been one of the most compelling in recent years.

To mark the end of the year, Arabian Business's editorial team has rounded up the stories that got you talking this year.

Without further ado, Arabian Business presents the 50 most popular stories on ArabianBusiness.com in 2012:

1. Destroy all churches in Gulf, says Saudi Grand Mufti

2. Qatar restaurants see trade slump after alcohol ban

3. Alcohol ban could be tip of iceberg for GCC countries

4. Girls ready for marriage at 12, says Saudi Grand Mufti

5. Qatar mall blaze leaves 19 dead

6. Saudi woman offers $1.33m for husband

7. F1 teams urged to boycott Bahrain Grand Prix

8. Two-year old triplets killed in Qatar mall blaze

9. Saudi Arabia world's third laziest nation

10. Nakheel damaging Dubai's reputation "2m times for a few dirhams" - Al Habtoor

11. Guest at Dubai's Cavalli Club racks up $105k bill in one night

12. UAE expats don't integrate with Emiratis - poll

13. Hundreds swindled in Dubai property scam

14. Selling Emirates Airline could make sense - vice chairman

15. Jailed for bounced cheques "makes no sense" - UK judge

16. Investors petition Dubai over unfinished properties

17. Qatar royal buys Greek island - report

18. Gulf Air hit by boycott after minister denied prize seat

19. "Let's forget about 2008," urges Nakheel chairman

20. Fifa tells Qatar "no alcohol, no deal" on World Cup

21. Dubai residents fume over hike in cooling fees

22.Dubai ruler announces new mega city project

23. Buyer won court order to seize Emaar offices in villa row

24. New Doha airport hiring 8,000 for 2012 opening - CEO

25. High roller famous for Dubai champagne tab arrested

26. UAE changes visa rules to boost tourism, business

27. US fast food chain launches 'cheese burger pizza'

28. Qatar named world's richest country in new rankings

29. Dubai gov't forced to push back expat housing fee plan

30. Qatar cooks up storm over pork sales

31. Dubai residents suffer as district cooling bills jump

32. Dubai ruler announces arrival of son, called Zayed

33. Madonna fans vent fury on social media after gig

34. UAE cut prices properties on offer from $40,000

35. UAE branded least friendly nation for expat workers

36. Sheikh Mohammed receives first 2013 Range Rover

37. Nakheel unveils first new Palm Jumeirah project since 2008 crash

38. Twitter users blast Qatar Airways, call for boycott

39. Emirati sentenced to 923 years in jail set free

40. 'World' island for sale in Dubai with $28.6m price tag

41. World's tallest building finished in 2017, says Alwaleed

42. Abu Dhabi's L'Etoiles raises the bar with $130k drinks bill

43. Maid locked up for 17 years without pay in Saudi

44. Prince Alwaleed unharmed after horror car crash

45. Abu Dhabi presses state employees to live local

46. Qatar set to bid for Munch's 'The Scream' - reports

47. UAE officials warn against marrying foreigners

48. New Dubai airport set for 2027 take-off

49. Jail for bounced cheques a deterrent - Nakheel boss

50. UK's most wanted tax fugitives in Dubai