The first human presence in Busan can be traced back as far as the Paleolithic Age about 15,000 years ago, and they began to settle in earnest in this area from the Neolithic Age. Since the opening of the Busan Port as an International Port in 1876, Busan has continued to make rapid progress meeting requirements as a city. With the opening of the Gyeongbu Line connecting Seoul and Busan in 1905, it was equipped with port facilities such as quays and warehouses. Busan became the capital of the South Gyeongsang Province when the South Gyeongsang Province government was transferred to Busan. During the Korean War in 1950, Busan was the temporary capital of Korea, playing major roles in the functioning of the country. Since it was raised to a jighalsi (a city under the direct control of the government) in 1963, Busan has taken a leading role in the economic development of Korea through the 1970s, and it was elevated to a metropolitan city with the administrative district expansion in 1995. Busan is the first port city and an international cultural tourist city hosting various kinds of events and festivals including the Pusan International Film Festival, Busan Biennale and Busan Fireworks Festival.