We prove that a resolution of singularities of any finite covering of the projective complex plane branched along a Hurwitz curve (H) over bar, and possibly along the line "at infinity", can be embedded as a symplectic submanifold in some projective algebraic manifold equipped with an integer Kahler symplectic form. (If (H) over bar has negative nodes, then the covering is assumed to be non-singular over them.) For cyclic coverings, we can realize these embeddings in a rational complex 3-fold. Properties of the Alexander polynomial of (H) over tilde are investigated and applied to the calculation of the first Betti number b(1)((X) over bar (n)), where (X) over bar (n) is a resolution of singularities of an n-sheeted cyclic covering of CP2 branched along (H) over bar, and possibly along the line "at infinity". We prove that b(1) ((X) over bar (n)) is even if (H) over bar is an irreducible Hurwitz curve but, in contrast to the algebraic case, b(1) ((X) over bar (n)) may take any non-negative value in the case when (H) over bar consists of several components.
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