The table is alphabetized to align with the list below The table is also sortable which means with one click you can list the countries in order of mosttoleast ships The lists you mentioned specifically state list of countries by in the title For example the list of countries by area lists the countries according to area size This article is by country and like most articles of this type the countries are listed alphabetically The title of this article is not list of countries with the most aircraft carriers so your argument moot