Upper house

Upper house refers to one of the houses of a bicameral legislature. Typically, the upper chamber in such a legislature has fewer members than that in the lower house. The upper house is less often elected by the people, though details vary from country to country. For example, in the U.S. Senate, Senators were originally selected by state legislatures (though today they are selected in popular elections). In the United Kingdom, the House of Lords is made up of unelected members of the country's nobility and bishopric.

Examples of Upper Houses

The following are examples of lower houses in various bicameral legislatures throughout the world today.

• Canada: The Senate
• Egypt: Majilis Al-Shura
• France: The Senate
• Germany: The Bundesrat
• Japan: The House of Councillors
• Mexico: The Mexico
• South Africa: The Council of Provinces
• Spain: The Senate
• United Kingdom: The House of Lords
• United States: The Senate