centre of a rayon (sector), Ivanovo oblast (province), western Russia. It lies about 18 miles (30 km) south of the Volga River and 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Ivanovo city. Vichuga developed from a number of industrial villages and was incorporated in 1920. It is now an important centre of the textile industry, especially for cotton, and it also has casting and other industries. Pop. (1995 est.) 48,300.