During the eighteenth century, in the context of a long postwar period, Catalan society established firm bases for economic growth and the industrial revolution. The agricultural specialisation of the coastal districts at first, and the development of traditional industries and the cotton industry later brought about the consolidation of the export market. The population in the principality increased dramatically throughout the eighteenth century. Reus, Vilanova and Mataró turned into export and manufacturing centres. Catalan shipping was reorganised along the length of the coast and became a key element of economic expansion.