TEHRAN -- The first international Iranology congress, sponsored by the Iranology Foundation, opened here on Monday.

President Mohammad Khatami will deliver the inaugural lecture.

Various characteristics of Iran and its achievements are to be discussed in the four-day conference, IRNA reported.

Some 400 Iranian and foreign intellectuals are attending the Conference, which is to be held at the conference hall of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Cultural Complex.

Conference participants are to discuss the following specialized topics, history and historical geography, Iranian literature, linguistics, art and archaeology, the Iranian economy, history of science and Islamic sciences in Iran, anthropology and public culture, management, foreign policy, bibliography, as well as general Iranology issues.

On the sidelines of the conference, participants will pay visits to the National Iranian Documents Organization, Cultural Heritage Organization, National Library, Ayatollah Mar'ashi Najafi Library, Museum of Contemporary Art, National Jewels Museum and other national institutions.

An exhibition of Iranian handicrafts from its various regions will also be held.