Gillard: The end of the world is coming

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has recorded a satirical video claiming the end of the world is imminent.

The December 21, 2012, date found on Mayan glyphs has led to speculation about prophecies of the end of the world.

In the video, recorded for Triple J, the PM said the world is about to end.

"My dear remaining fellow Australians the end of the world is coming," Ms Gillard said.

"It turns out the Mayan calendar was true."

Obviously tongue-in-cheek the video goes on to question what might happen during the 'apocalypse'.

"Whether the final blow comes from flesh eating zombies, demonic hell beasts... good luck to you all," Ms Gillard said.

Tourists are flocking to Guatemala because the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, an event that some people consider an apocalyptic omen.

Tikal, one of the most important cities in the ancient Mayan world, will be the site of the 2012 "New Dawn for Humanity" world summit.

The event, which will take place from December 20-21, is being organised by the Guatemalan government as a gathering of "the most creative minds" in the world, drawing distinguished representatives of the world's different civilisations to welcome the new era predicted by the Mayans.

The Mayans created a calendar based on 400-year periods, known as "baktuns," with each era made up of 13 cycles of 400 years that added up to 5125 years.

The current era, according to their calculations, would end in December 2012, experts say.