Why the Maya used a 260-day calendar

From a comment in the USA today that the OP linked to:<p>Interpretation and Confirmation that the end day of Mayan 2012 is sure and near.<p>Mayan=may-an<p>may=can=know=knowledge=wisdom<p>wis=know; -dom=doom=The Judgment Day<p>an=and=十=X=Jesus Christ<p>Mayan 2012= know the end day Jesus Christ 2012<p>wow, just wow.

It was really interesting to read and then the end of the world garbage at the end ruined it for me.