Forced normality of finite connected covers of orientable surfaces
= Forced normality of finite connected covers of orientable surfaces
For a connected degree-$n$ cover of a closed orientable surface $\Sigma_g$, normality is forced when $n=1$, when $n=2$, or when $g=1$. For $g=0$, existence itself forces $n=1$. For every $g\geq2$ and $n\geq3$, nonnormal connected degree-$n$ covers exist.