What type of integer has a broader range suitable for large numbers?

The correct choice is "Long integer." This type of integer can store larger values compared to regular integers. In many programming languages and systems, a long integer typically occupies more memory than a standard integer, allowing it to represent a wider range of numerical values. For instance, while a standard integer might be limited to values between -32,768 and 32,767 in a 16-bit system, a long integer can extend this range significantly, often up to 2,147,483,647 in a 32-bit system and even larger in 64-bit systems.

When dealing with data that requires storage of very large numbers, such as in GIS applications that might involve large datasets or measurements, using long integers ensures that the representation does not overflow and lose precision. This capability is crucial for maintaining data integrity in numerical computations and analyses, which are common in GIS.

The other options do not provide the same range: a short integer is generally limited to smaller values, a standard integer (depending on system specifics) usually has a fixed size, and while an unsigned integer can represent larger positive numbers than a signed integer by not accounting for negative values, it still does not match the extended range offered by long integers.