Finite Surfaces a Study of Finite 2-Complexes

The classification of closed or bounded 2-manifolds is common knowledge. It may be found in a paper by R. C. James [1] following lectures of A. W. Tucker. We extend the classification by finding a canonical form for an arbitrary finite 2-complex. We first review the analogous form for linear graphs. We define 2-complexes and characterize their local structure. In a second paper, we shall obtain the canonical form using the operations set forth here.