Berlin Charter Township was formerly a part of Ash Township, which in 1837 was organized out of Frenchtown Township and became an independent Township when it was organized out of Ash in 1867.  As part of the Monroe Metropolitan Area, the township is also classified as part of the much larger Metro Detroit region.

The Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is located within Berlin Charter Township. The township contains two listings on the National Register of Historic Places. The Detroit River Light is within the township's water boundaries, although the station is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard. The Jefferson Avenue-Huron River Bridge spans the Huron River, connecting Berlin to Brownstown Charter Township in Wayne County. The eastern portion of the township along Lake Erie is served by Jefferson Schools, while the rest of the township is served by Airport and Flat Rock Community Schools.

• Estral Beach is a village in the southeastern most portion of the township along Lake Erie.

• Newport is an unincorporated area centered at  42°00′08″N 83°18′31″W42.00222°N 83.30861°W in the southwest portion of the township. As an unincorporated area, Newport has no legal boundaries or demographic statistics of its own. Newport contains its own post office, and most locations in Berlin Charter Township use Newport as a mailing address. The areas included in the Newport community extend into Frenchtown Charter Township to the south and also includes the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station.

• South Rockwood is a village located in the northern portion of the township along the border of Wayne County.  It is the largest incorporated community in the township. South Rockwood contains its own post office in the 48179 zip code.