A Grand Duchy is a territory ruled by a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess, a title that ranks above a duke but below a king. Grand Duchies often have a degree of autonomy and may be part of a larger kingdom or empire. Historically, they have been established for various reasons, including political alliances and territorial expansion. One of the most notable examples of a Grand Duchy is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which is a small, landlocked country in Western Europe. Another example is the Grand Duchy of Finland, which existed under Russian rule from 1809 until Finland's independence in 1917.