In peripheral countries or regions all of the following are true EXCEPT:

they are all dependent on core countries for capital.

the term "peripheral" is necessarily synonymous with poverty.

most of the impoverished countries are in Africa.

there is a downward spiral to the bottom as peripheral states lower wages in order to compete with all other nations.

To determine which statement is NOT true, let's examine each option:

Option 1: "They are all dependent on core countries for capital."
To verify if this statement is true, we need to understand the concept of peripheral countries or regions. Peripheral countries are typically characterized by having lower levels of economic development and being reliant on more economically advanced core countries for resources, including capital. This means that peripheral regions often rely on external investment from core countries to fuel their economies.

Option 2: "The term 'peripheral' is necessarily synonymous with poverty."
To assess the accuracy of this statement, we need to examine the definition of the term "peripheral." While peripheral regions may often be associated with poverty due to their lower levels of economic development, it is not necessarily a synonym. Some peripheral regions may still exhibit poverty, but it is not an inherent characteristic of the term.

Option 3: "Most of the impoverished countries are in Africa."
To determine the accuracy of this statement, we can look at global poverty statistics. While poverty is a significant issue in Africa, it is important to keep in mind that poverty can be found in various regions around the world, including both peripheral and core countries.

Option 4: "There is a downward spiral to the bottom as peripheral states lower wages in order to compete with all other nations."
To assess this statement, we need to analyze the wage dynamics in peripheral countries. It is true that some peripheral countries might engage in wage competition to attract foreign investment. However, this does not mean that there is an inevitable downward spiral. Economic conditions, policies, and various other factors play a role in determining wage levels in different countries.

Therefore, the statement that is NOT true is: "Most of the impoverished countries are in Africa." While Africa does face significant poverty challenges, poverty can also be found in various other regions globally, both peripheral and core.