It is located on the island of IJsselmonde, and borders with Zwijndrecht, Ridderkerk, and the Noord River (with Alblasserdam and Papendrecht on the other side).

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, June 2015 The area has been populated from circa the year 1000 CE.

Because of the rapid industrial growth in iron foundries and shipyards in nearby villages (which produced lots of scrap waste), several families opened up ship breaking yards which grew into an industry resulting in the town becoming worldwide known as the "ship breaking village".

The establishment of industries in the region changed the centuries-old seasonal labour to permanent work opportunities with higher wages.

Several monumental farms and buildings, including the 14th century Reformed Church, remain as a reminder of its historic past.