Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is an important inorganic mineral in biological and geological systems. Traditionally, it is widely used in plastics, papermaking, ink, building materials, textiles, cosmetics, and food. Over the last decade, there has been rapid development in the controlled synthesis and surface modification of CaCO3, the stabilization of amorphous CaCO3 (ACC), and CaCO3-based nanostructured materials. In this review, the controlled synthesis of CaCO3 is first examined, including Ca2+-CO32- systems, solid-liquid-gas carbonation, water-in-oil reverse emulsions, and biomineralization. Advancing insights into the nucleation and crystallization of CaCO3 have led to the development of efficient routes towards the controlled synthesis of CaCO3 with specific sizes, morphologies, and polymorphs. Recently-developed surface modification methods of CaCO3 include organic and inorganic modifications, as well as intensified surface reactions. The resultant CaCO3 can then be further engineered via template-induced biomineralization and layer-by-layer assembly into porous, hollow, or core-shell organic-inorganic nanocomposites. The introduction of CaCO3 into nanostructured materials has led to a significant improvement in the mechanical, optical, magnetic, and catalytic properties of such materials, with the resultant CaCO3-based nanostructured materials showing great potential for use in biomaterials and biomedicine, environmental remediation, and energy production and storage. The influences that the preparation conditions and additives have on ACC preparation and stabilization are also discussed. Studies indicate that ACC can be used to construct environmentally-friendly hybrid films, supramolecular hydrogels, and drug vehicles. Finally, the existing challenges and future directions of the controlled synthesis and functionalization of CaCO3 and its expanding applications are highlighted.