Grand Duchy of Lithuania

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a powerful state in Eastern Europe that existed from the 13th century until the late 18th century. It was the largest country in Europe during its peak and included present-day Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia. The Grand Duchy was known for its cultural diversity and religious tolerance, as it encompassed various ethnic groups and religions. It formed a political union with the Kingdom of Poland in 1569, creating the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which played a significant role in the region's history until its partitions in the late 18th century.