America-South Mexico-Mayan calendar count down

Mexico Maya

 begin 2012 

'end of era' countdown.

Indigenous Maya communities in 


southern Mexico have begun a year-


long countdown to 21 December 2012,


 which will mark the end of a five-


millenia cycle in the ancient Mayan


 calendar.

Some people have interpreted the 


prophecy as predicting the apocalypse.

But experts say it signifies the end of an


 era, not the end of the world.

Maya priests have been holding special 


religious ceremonies, and Mexican


 tourism officials are preparing for a 


surge in visitors to the region.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-

america-16295720