"due to" vs "because of"

[newbie]

Hi everybody,
Please tell me the difference between "due to" and "because of"

Many thanks in advance.
Newbie.

[2006]

Hi everybody,
Please tell me the difference between "due to" and "because of" Mostly they mean the same and are interchangeable.
(Due to)(Because of) the lack of rain, the crops are very poor this year.
It is largely (due to)(because of) the teachers that the students have done so well.

"Because of" can't be used in the following sentence.
The contract is due to expire next month.
Many thanks in advance.
Newbie.

2006

[David L.]

You will find 'because of' used more frequently in casual speech than 'due to', which is more formal sounding.