The type of database designed to handle unstructured data is known as a NoSQL database. Unlike traditional relational databases that rely on structured data organized in tables, NoSQL databases accommodate variable data formats, including text, images, and videos. This flexibility allows them to scale horizontally, making them suitable for managing large volumes of data typical in big data applications and real-time web analytics. Examples of NoSQL databases include MongoDB and Cassandra, which are widely used in modern web applications.