After the power that Valencia and its port had achieved within the Crown of Aragon in the 14th century, the following century saw the city reach its economic peak. The growth of its wealth was largely due to its rich agriculture, supported by the sophisticated implementation of Arab irrigation systems. This enabled not only the food supply for a huge population of about 75,000 at the turn of the century – Barcelona barely reached 30,000 back then, for reference-- but also the export of agricultural products. In addition to this, ceramics and textiles such as silk among other manufactures were successfully sold throughout the Mediterranean. As is often the way with commercial hubs, cultural and technological advances are often made there, and so Valencia became one of the first printing press centres in Spain in 1474, a technique introduced by artisans from Mainz, Germany.