Alphabetical order will begin with the second letter. If the second letter is the same, the order will be based on the first letter. If the first letter is the same, the order will be based on the third. Then, the order will be based on the fourth, and so on.
Start by naming any country that France borders. Then name any country that borders any of those countries. Then keep going until there are no more countries left to name.
I am a bit confused. If we alphabetize based on the second letter, wouldnt all countries with A as the second letter have to be first before you can move on to Ecuador?