Based on historical information, we analyzed the evolution of the abandoned Huanghe (Yellow) River delta in 800 years. We divided the evolution into growth and erosion periods and seven phases. Shoreline extended seaward for about 90 km in the growth phase, and withdrew landward for 22 km in the erosion phase, making a difference of about 800 km~2 in area. Geomorphology evolution of coastline experienced a course of straight-zigzag-smooth-straight in curvature because of land-sea interaction changes. In the growth period, the delta initiated from former shoals with siltation, deposition, and extended seaward in alternation of runoff-tide actions. In the erosion period, shoals re-occurred, was eroded back, and filled, in alternation of wave-tide actions. Sediment transport, human activities, and climate change contributed to the impact on the evolution of the delta. The huge amount of sand supply has been the key factor for the delta development, and sediment disbalance was the main reason of delta erosion. In the growth period, sediment transport affected the deposition velocity and location, and human activities and climate change affected the channel migration of the river course, and sediment discharge and supply. In the erosion period, sediment transport was less and slow, and human activities affected natural deposition-erosion along coastal zone to a certain degree. Climate change affects the evolution trend of the delta.