Bordering provinces are Banteay Meanchey to the north, Pursat to the east and south, Siem Reap to the northeast, and Pailin to the west.

The northern and southern extremes of the province's western boundaries form part of the international border with Thailand.

In addition, Tonlé Sap forms part of the northeastern boundary between Siem Reap and Pursat.

Battambang literally means '[to] lose [a] stick' in Khmer, referring to the local legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung.

[citation needed] In 1769, Battambang and Siem Reap were conquered by King Taksin of Siam.

Wat Ek Phnom (Khmer: វត្តឯកភ្នំ) is a partly collapsed 11th century temple 11 km north of Battambang city.

A lintel depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk is above the east entrance to the central temple, the upper flanks of which hold some finely carved bas-reliefs.

Construction of an oversized Buddha statue began by locals next to the temple has been stopped by the government because, they say, it mars the site's historical provenance and "timeless beauty".