A duchy is a country, territory, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess. The term is used almost exclusively in Europe, where in the present day there is no sovereign duchy (i.e. with the status of a nation state) left. The term "duke" (like the corresponding "duchy") should not be confused with the title "grand duke" (or "grand duchy", such as the present-day Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), as there exists a significant difference of rank between the two.